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The quality of meat here was so good! My friends and I went on a triple date here, and it was a great experience. Menu had a good variety to pick from, and the food was worth the price. I think we will definitely come back here again sometime! Staff were helpful too.
Went back again tonight for my bday dinner with my bf Honestly everything is good here but our top favorites are: high quality salted cube cut tongue, high quality short rib, high quality outside skirt (LOL clearly you see what our favorite cuts are!) and liver sashimi! Owner knew it was my bday so he provided ice cream with cute bday decoration & our waiter Shingo took great care of us all throughout the night! We'll likely be back with friends next month! Can't wait!!
We were greeted by an eager server, which was good, but also a cloud of smoke, which was bad, especially since only 1 table was occupied. Hunger won over other instincts so we sat down. Right away, we noticed they no longer use wire mesh grill plates like in the old photos. Reasons wire mesh or vertically slatted grill plates are non-negotiable for Japanese BBQ is that they allow: 1. Radiant heat to hit the meat 2. Fat to drain instead of pool 3. Airflow for steam to escape Torachan used what looks like a Korean slotted bulpan, ideal for pork belly and marinated meats. For yakiniku, the wagyu tasted flat, like it was cooked in a pan. None of that signature smokey flavor. Fiery flareups were also so bad we needed a grill change after just one round. Explains the smoke. The solid plates are more durable and easier to clean, but those cost cuts didn't seem reflected in the menu prices. You could go to any proper yakiniku and pay this much or less for better. I'm not sure what competitive advantage Torachan Japanese BBQ has over similar businesses. Unless you count empty tables on a Saturday night. And that's not exactly an advantage in the long run.
Wow am I glad I found out about this place! I love beef, steak, the red meat- all of it! Especially when it's served raw with an egg? EVEN BETTER. Give me it all. I came out with my cousins one day and made a reservation thinking it was gonna be packed but it was actually us and one other party, which I appreciate because I am not a fan of crowded restaurants. Our server was very nice and helped us with what the best things to order are and making sure we had refills of our drinks. We ordered a boat of meats that we got to cook on the grill to our liking! I liked that we got our grill changed often too. Everything was soooo tasty and the sauces / seasoning on the side was very complementary to our dishes. If you're looking to try some quality cuts of meat for a fair price, definitely try this place out ! They do it right !
Second time visiting this place and it always hits. The meat are really good pieces and all so flavorful. I love yakiniku because you can char it the way you want to. The kalbi was half off because of their special! The season veggies were flavorful, tender, and really added to the variety of the meat we had. Check out their Instagram for deals. We were one of two parties in the restaurant so service was quick. And it was very peaceful dining here. The fire did get a little high during the pork fat grilling but it's just added flavor!
We came to Torachan Japanese BBQ craving some good Wagyu and decided to go with one of their shareable bundles. The quality of the meat was definitely there, no doubt about that. That being said, for $270, I did wish the set came with more sides -- or at least some rice included -- since we ended up paying extra just to get a bowl. We also tried the oxtail soup, which was a nice addition. Overall, it was a solid experience and a nice place to try, but I'm not sure I'd return. At this price point, you can find competitively better Wagyu options, even at some all-you-can-eat spots. On the plus side, the service was quick and attentive, though we were the only party seated at the time.
Came here for lunch on July 4th. It was our first time here. I loved the simple ambience of the restaurant, very clean as well too. There was only one server and she was nice enough to explain the menu even though it was busy. The lunch I chose was $14.99. It came with unlimited rice/soup, dipping sauce and meat (short rib). The meal is perfect for one person. The dipping sauces complimented the meat. I would definitely like to come back and try one of their cooked dishes on the the menu. I highly recommend coming here if you haven't been!
Yesterday, I went to this restaurant and the total bill was $300. The food was good, but the service was very disappointing. The server never asked us how the food was, didn't smile, and didn't seem friendly or attentive at all. However, they still expected a tip. I normally tip 20% because I appreciate good service, but in this case, the service was really poor.
Great harami and tongue! The sauce of the original yukke was good! Kimchi has a bold flavor of garlic and ginger. Not sour at all. The service was quick, nothing to complain about but they keep taking your menu because they don't have much so you kinda have to order all at once or keep asking for it. There were couples and families. Quite welcoming environment but they keep their door open so they won't notice when you come in. No ventilation on top of the grill so your hair and clothes gonna smell like smoke. Though all that being said, none of them was major issue for me so just taking one star away.
We've been coming here ever since it was Tamaen, which was our favorite jbbq restaurant. Not sure why the name changed because the menu looks almost identical to how it was before! The meat quality is always amazing and the server (we usually always get the same server whenever we come! Maybe she's a manager or owner??) is always so sweet and kind. We were so obsessed with their tartare but on this latest visit it seems they changed the sauce. It used to be a bit more savory and salty but it's become very sweet - it still wasn't bad but we much preferred the original recipe because we don't prefer sweet tartare. When it was the original recipe, it was our absolute top favorite tartare anywhere. Please change it back!! We tried their Torachan original tartare as well which had much bigger slices of meat and that was incredible. We had two orders. Again, slightly sweeter than we normally would prefer but the meat was so tender and amazing. We are never disappointed by this location. It's not cheap but it's worth the price!
We loved this place. The wagyu is from Miyazawa, Japan and if you recently took vacation in Japan, or don't have the means to definitely go here to satisfy your craving or take on a new experience. The meat quality here is just as good! Amazing marbling, quality and taste. The service is great and reminds me just of Japan. We ordered the A5 Wagyu set and were able to substitute the tongue since the majority of our party did not eat tongue. I'm not sure which cut it was, but it came with these beef shaped cubes and those were our favorite. The A5 Wagyu ribeye sukiyaki set was our next favorite -- the egg as a dipping sauce really immersed us in the Japanese dining experience. My sisters also tried the bibimbap and enjoyed it. We ordered some pork jowl cuts as well, clean and not too fatty. The only thing I would pass on if I came back is the sushi set. I loved that they had this on their menu for variety but the quality was meh. The meat was a lot chewier than other meat nigiris I've had but for the price point, I guess it's what you'd expect. Would definitely recommend this place for date night, special celebration or even regular dinner or lunch if you can afford it! Japanese bbq is never a bad idea.
Torachan Japanese BBQ was a super nice dinner with a few of my friends. Located in Gardena this store is small but the food is mighty. There are different sets of Waygu beef to pick from. Also, you could order some soups and appetizers. The soups were super delicious. The meat was cooked well and just felt nicely done. Service was friendly and also helped cook the meat.
I love torachan Customer service is great All meats and Reimen also great too I highly recommend this place
Came because they were sourcing their wagyu from Sakakiyama. Apparently the focus is on raising a balanced, flavorful beef - not just simply go for the highly marbled A5 rating. Some parts of Japan might feed their wa-gyu herd beer and rice. Sakakiyama apparently puts their cows on a steady diet of rice straw, then cashew nut meal. I can tell you, the result is pretty damn good. While there is still that lovely, oily, marbled fat, it is leveled out in harmony with the beef content. I think those of you that have bought like, some $150/oz A5 Wagyu cut from a high end steak place know just how cloyingly rich a mere 2 or 3 ounces of beef can be. We tried out every top tier cut you could grill at this fabulous yakiniku. A5 ribeye, A5 short rib, A5 chuck flap, A5 ribeye sukiyaki style (the thinly sliced beef to dip into a beaten raw egg), A5 top round, A5 topround steak cut, A5 sirloin, A5 tenderloin... and even.... A5 Chateaubriand (that lovely tenderest part of the tenderloin that includes the filet mignon). They are all lovely and enjoyable in their own way, in their own way that they begin to grill, or even the way the wagyu kind of caramelizes into its Maillard reaction of cooking that lovingly marries that amino acid meatiness to the beef's inherent sugars. Your bite into heaven is merely the cost of Sakakiyama beef. And that glorious Chateaubriand, so beefy, yet lusciously tender, as that melted marbled fat boosts its power the way hollowfication boosts Kurosaki Ichigo's bankai to untold magnitudes of dominance!!! And don't skimp on the sides. Splurge on that demure bowl of shiso rice. The seasoning and sliced shiso leaves over white rice really brightens and freshens up the palate in a way that really complements rich fatty wagyu beef. The plate of seasonal vegetables are also the way to go. Just do it. Fresh, acidity, crisp vegetables brings harmony to the whole experience. And pair it all to a glass of red wine, or tall glass of Suntory The Premium Malts. It's what Ryo Saeba, the City Hunter would do. If you're splurging this much, might as well go all the way. Ne? Nyaa?! Victory must be absolute. Personal service might be slow, but they only had like 2 people on staff on the floor, running between only... EVERY table. But if you want to get their attention, use the electric bell on the table. But they're good people. Nice people. The greatest people. Serving some of the greatest food, the greatest beef. So some reviewers might think this yakiniku joint is among the worst. But I think it's one of the greatest! [Last note: we were lucky to grab a 50% off premium cuts weekend discount, normally this meal which heartily fed a party of 4 with drinks, would cost in the neighborhood of over $600. But even they do have a more accessible menu of US Prime cuts along with A5 and non-A5 wagyu.] read more
3 months ago
The meat and vegetables are always fresh, and everything is perfect. They have a great selection of kids' menu items, so you can visit with peace of mind. read more
12 days ago
The quality of meat here was so good! My friends and I went on a triple date here, and it was a great experience. Menu had a good variety to pick from, and the food was worth the price. I think we will definitely come back here again sometime! Staff were helpful too. read more
Went back again tonight for my bday dinner with my bf Honestly everything is good here but our top favorites are: high quality salted cube cut tongue, high quality short rib, high quality outside skirt (LOL clearly you see what our favorite cuts are!) and liver sashimi! Owner knew it was my bday so he provided ice cream with cute bday decoration & our waiter Shingo took great care of us all throughout the night! We'll likely be back with friends next month! Can't wait!! read more
16 days ago
We were greeted by an eager server, which was good, but also a cloud of smoke, which was bad, especially since only 1 table was occupied. Hunger won over other instincts so we sat down. Right away, we noticed they no longer use wire mesh grill plates like in the old photos. Reasons wire mesh or vertically slatted grill plates are non-negotiable for Japanese BBQ is that they allow: 1. Radiant heat to hit the meat 2. Fat to drain instead of pool 3. Airflow for steam to escape Torachan used what looks like a Korean slotted bulpan, ideal for pork belly and marinated meats. For yakiniku, the wagyu tasted flat, like it was cooked in a pan. None of that signature smokey flavor. Fiery flareups were also so bad we needed a grill change after just one round. Explains the smoke. The solid plates are more durable and easier to clean, but those cost cuts didn't seem reflected in the menu prices. You could go to any proper yakiniku and pay this much or less for better. I'm not sure what competitive advantage Torachan Japanese BBQ has over similar businesses. Unless you count empty tables on a Saturday night. And that's not exactly an advantage in the long run. read more
Wow am I glad I found out about this place! I love beef, steak, the red meat- all of it! Especially when it's served raw with an egg? EVEN BETTER. Give me it all. I came out with my cousins one day and made a reservation thinking it was gonna be packed but it was actually us and one other party, which I appreciate because I am not a fan of crowded restaurants. Our server was very nice and helped us with what the best things to order are and making sure we had refills of our drinks. We ordered a boat of meats that we got to cook on the grill to our liking! I liked that we got our grill changed often too. Everything was soooo tasty and the sauces / seasoning on the side was very complementary to our dishes. If you're looking to try some quality cuts of meat for a fair price, definitely try this place out ! They do it right ! read more
Second time visiting this place and it always hits. The meat are really good pieces and all so flavorful. I love yakiniku because you can char it the way you want to. The kalbi was half off because of their special! The season veggies were flavorful, tender, and really added to the variety of the meat we had. Check out their Instagram for deals. We were one of two parties in the restaurant so service was quick. And it was very peaceful dining here. The fire did get a little high during the pork fat grilling but it's just added flavor! read more
We came to Torachan Japanese BBQ craving some good Wagyu and decided to go with one of their shareable bundles. The quality of the meat was definitely there, no doubt about that. That being said, for $270, I did wish the set came with more sides -- or at least some rice included -- since we ended up paying extra just to get a bowl. We also tried the oxtail soup, which was a nice addition. Overall, it was a solid experience and a nice place to try, but I'm not sure I'd return. At this price point, you can find competitively better Wagyu options, even at some all-you-can-eat spots. On the plus side, the service was quick and attentive, though we were the only party seated at the time. read more
3 months ago
Came here for lunch on July 4th. It was our first time here. I loved the simple ambience of the restaurant, very clean as well too. There was only one server and she was nice enough to explain the menu even though it was busy. The lunch I chose was $14.99. It came with unlimited rice/soup, dipping sauce and meat (short rib). The meal is perfect for one person. The dipping sauces complimented the meat. I would definitely like to come back and try one of their cooked dishes on the the menu. I highly recommend coming here if you haven't been! read more
1 month ago
Yesterday, I went to this restaurant and the total bill was $300. The food was good, but the service was very disappointing. The server never asked us how the food was, didn't smile, and didn't seem friendly or attentive at all. However, they still expected a tip. I normally tip 20% because I appreciate good service, but in this case, the service was really poor. read more
Great harami and tongue! The sauce of the original yukke was good! Kimchi has a bold flavor of garlic and ginger. Not sour at all. The service was quick, nothing to complain about but they keep taking your menu because they don't have much so you kinda have to order all at once or keep asking for it. There were couples and families. Quite welcoming environment but they keep their door open so they won't notice when you come in. No ventilation on top of the grill so your hair and clothes gonna smell like smoke. Though all that being said, none of them was major issue for me so just taking one star away. read more
1 month ago
We've been coming here ever since it was Tamaen, which was our favorite jbbq restaurant. Not sure why the name changed because the menu looks almost identical to how it was before! The meat quality is always amazing and the server (we usually always get the same server whenever we come! Maybe she's a manager or owner??) is always so sweet and kind. We were so obsessed with their tartare but on this latest visit it seems they changed the sauce. It used to be a bit more savory and salty but it's become very sweet - it still wasn't bad but we much preferred the original recipe because we don't prefer sweet tartare. When it was the original recipe, it was our absolute top favorite tartare anywhere. Please change it back!! We tried their Torachan original tartare as well which had much bigger slices of meat and that was incredible. We had two orders. Again, slightly sweeter than we normally would prefer but the meat was so tender and amazing. We are never disappointed by this location. It's not cheap but it's worth the price! read more
We loved this place. The wagyu is from Miyazawa, Japan and if you recently took vacation in Japan, or don't have the means to definitely go here to satisfy your craving or take on a new experience. The meat quality here is just as good! Amazing marbling, quality and taste. The service is great and reminds me just of Japan. We ordered the A5 Wagyu set and were able to substitute the tongue since the majority of our party did not eat tongue. I'm not sure which cut it was, but it came with these beef shaped cubes and those were our favorite. The A5 Wagyu ribeye sukiyaki set was our next favorite -- the egg as a dipping sauce really immersed us in the Japanese dining experience. My sisters also tried the bibimbap and enjoyed it. We ordered some pork jowl cuts as well, clean and not too fatty. The only thing I would pass on if I came back is the sushi set. I loved that they had this on their menu for variety but the quality was meh. The meat was a lot chewier than other meat nigiris I've had but for the price point, I guess it's what you'd expect. Would definitely recommend this place for date night, special celebration or even regular dinner or lunch if you can afford it! Japanese bbq is never a bad idea. read more
1 year ago
Torachan Japanese BBQ was a super nice dinner with a few of my friends. Located in Gardena this store is small but the food is mighty. There are different sets of Waygu beef to pick from. Also, you could order some soups and appetizers. The soups were super delicious. The meat was cooked well and just felt nicely done. Service was friendly and also helped cook the meat. read more
11 months ago
I love torachan Customer service is great All meats and Reimen also great too I highly recommend this place read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
I came here with my friend that's working in town, this was the closest to the area we were in. I'm not sure how new this place is but it's such a cute restaurant, that has an authentic vibe. Our server was very attentive, she made sure that we were very taken care of. The food was amazing, we got the Wagyu option, it is pricey but between two people it was enough! Super filling, melts in your mouth, delicious! We did substitute the tongue for more short rib. read more
29 days ago
30 days ago
Saw this place pop up on social media so I decided to give it a try. I had reservations here so we got seated right away, but the restaurant wasn't too overbooked, so I think we would have been okay if we didn't have reservations. The restaurant is located in a plaza, so there's ample free parking. The staff was really friendly and explained the menu to us. We ended up ordering 3 different cuts of meat and their oxtail soup. Everything was really good, I especially loved their oxtail soup since it was my first time ever trying this dish and it really made a lasting impression on me. The meats were also really good, super tender but beware that you might burn it since you have to cook it yourself. We thought that we didn't receive a plate of meat since we ordered 3 meats, but only received 2 dishes. When we explained that to the waiter, he came back with the plate of meat and said it was on the house for having not explained the items on the plate to us. We really appreciated the hospitality and consideration of the staff. Overall, I had a great experience here. They also had a fun membership for kids. It's a bit on the pricier side but you can really taste the quality of the meats, so I'd definitely come here again for a special occasion or if I was in the area. read more
2 years ago
My husband and I had a date night here last night and it was so good! I initially made a reservation at a different Japanese BBQ place in Lomita, but when I saw how far it was (from Manhattan Beach) I searched for a closer spot and found Torachan. Now, it's a little confusing because this restaurant also operates under the name Ogawatei (signage also says Ogawatei) but tbh they can call themselves whatever they want- the food is excellent. I think this might be the first time my husband and I have ever done Japanese BBQ surprisingly (we are Korean BBQ lovers) but something about Japanese BBQ is so clean-tasting- not heavily marinated, just high-quality, tasty meat. We ordered 3 different meats- a tongue, skirt steak, and a Japanese wagyu- and all were soo good. Each serving is a 4oz portion, and 3 servings were more than enough for the 2 of us. We also ordered a garlic rice that was served in a hot stone bowl, and assorted kimchi- the kimchi was so good we ordered another. I highly recommend this restaurant. They weren't extremely busy, but it also could have been because we had an early reservation- this restaurant could either be an easy date-night spot, dinner w/ friends, or even a night out with family. There was only 1 waitress serving all the tables and she deserves recognition. This restaurant reminds me of restaurants in Tokyo- clean, efficient, and delicious! read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
We came here for my bf's birthday, and I will say, we had an amazing time here and will definitely be back! Food, atmosphere, service and the people were 10/10. First of all, the food. Everything was super high quality. You definitely get what you pay for here. (These may not be the exact names since I forgot to take pictures of the menu) We got: -the kimchi platter -assorted side dishes -original beef tar tar (comes with sashimi-like slices with egg yolk on top) -premium beef tongue -regular beef tongue -beef shoulder -something that started with a ch -pork cheek -garlic rice (comes with soup, kinda reminds me of an ochazuke style) Our favorite was the premium beef tongue. I feel like it was totally worth paying the extra $10 for the premium beef tongue. My biggest tip would be to ask for a bowl of lemon, because lemon juice on the premium beef tongue is a game changer. My second favorite dish would probably be the original beef tar tar, then the shoulder which was super tender. Service was phenomenal. Super helpful with recommendations, I couldn't decide which drink to get, and the server helped me choose the Yuzu Chu-Hi, which I liked the best. My bf got a freshly squeezed lemon sour, and on tap, they had malt beer. Service was pretty quick too! They also gave us free ice cream for my bf's birthday! And the table behind us was so sweet in wishing my bf a happy birthday, and brought a very enthusiastic atmosphere! Super friendly people here! read more
Came here in the past when it was Tamaen. Wasn't excited about the food so never went back. Heard it was a different place, related to Ogawatei in Osaka. Made a reservation for Friday early dinner and was not busy. Got the A5 Japanese Wagyu. All the meats were good and tasted similar. Liked the Oxtail sopu as well. The banchan and salad weren't great and were the biggest let done. The meal is definitely on the expensive side but better than other Japanese BBQ places in the area. read more
3 months ago
Ambiance: this new Japanese bbq restaurant has replaced the previous Tamaen Service: very friendly and attentively refilled water, but so lack of knowledge with their menu and food, and basically had to check with the kitchen for almost all questions Food & Drink: standard Japanese bbq items, with daily and monthly speciality High Quality Salted Tongue - ***** premium quality, tender and juicy meat, highly recommend A5 Chuck Short Rib Wagyu - **** Sukiyaki style, very tasty with egg yoke, fatty and melting in your mouth, recommend Seafood Pancake Ogawatei Special - *** average taste Shiitake Ogawatei Special - * not so good as ingredients for bbq, it got burnt easily outside and still undercooked inside Green Salad - ** lettuce and cucumbers with soy sauce Matcha Ice Crema - *** light taste Sprite - *** canned drink Price: small portions and pricey, expect $50+ per person for a light meal read more
Great food very generous and service is family friendly!It was very peaceful with nice dim lighting and friendly waiters.would for sure go again.Finally,the food was super good and filling.They also had a free kids club membership giving a kids dessert, drink and a prize read more
We decided to come here for Valentine's Day which ended up being the best idea. Started off with a pint of Asahi to go with our meats and a glass of plum sake which I really recommend if you like sweet drinks as much as I do! Protein wise I preferred the High Quality Salted Tongue over the High Quality Salted Cube Cut Tongue, just because the thinner slices were perfect texture but if you prefer a fattier texture then get the cube cut for sure (both were delicious) . The Beef Tartar was amazing as well, you just know those hens ate good because I haven't seen such a rich tasty egg yolk in so long. Pro tip get the Fried Garlic & Wrapping Lettuce (from the appetizer section) to eat with your Japanese BBQ! No complaints at all about these two, they were the most perfect pieces of lettuce given plus the garlic being soft inside and crispy outside was the cherry on top. The A5 Wagyu Short Rib really set the bar high starting off. Marbling was impressive and super tender. Next we had the American Wagyu - High Quality Outside Skirt also tender plus not too fatty! The Temaki Sushi was yummy too, a great change of pace dish for us. We had the American Wagyu - Coulotte and the leaner side tasted great but the fatty part was too chewy for us. For our soup we got their popular Oxtail soup(with udon), and I'm not kidding when I said I would come back just for this soup alone as hangover cure because it was just that good(didn't even get a picture b/c it was gone too quick). For our last protein we had their American Wagyu - High Quality Top Blade. That cut was even better than the short rib we started with. From the marbling to the texture, it is definitely on top. For our dessert we had their tiramisu which is now a core memory for me. No exaggeration, you cannot leave without trying this. The bottom was a sweet creamy warm custard (I'm assuming), with a chill soft light and fluffy layer on top. As a sweets lover and tiramisu enthusiast it was unexpectedly one of my now top favorites! We were given roses for Valentine's Day and hot tea to wash down our meal which was very sweet and thoughtful. Speaking of that, our servers were amazing and attentive. Even though it was super busy, there were enough servers attending to all the customers efficiently. They have an efficient yelp reservation and waitlist system which I recommend if you don't want to wait. The interior is kept clean and the ambiance was very casual for a nice dinner date! Overall me and my girlfriend would come back because food & service was 10/10!!! read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
One of the best Japanese BBQs in the Gardena/Torrance area, even their lunch set menu on the weekend has good quality meat. The miso soup that is included on the menu is very tasty I was surprised it's not the normal miso soup I had always eaten! Service was one of the best, our server was really friendly, polite, and welcoming. read more
Amazing meat and service!!! I was excited to try this new Japanese BBQ place. I typically prefer Japanese BBQ as the portions are smaller so I can easily enjoy a large variety of meats. Came by on a Saturday night with a reservation. The restaurant was pretty full later so it seems like reservations are needed on weekends but the servers said weekdays are still slow (as of early 2025) The beef tongue was the SOFTEST TASTIEST tongue I've had!! We also had a variety of wagyu meats and some were melt-in-your-mouth while some were super meaty and tasty, all were amazing in their own way. For drinks, they had Premium Malts on draft which is still rare around here so I loved that. There were only two servers for the whole restaurant which is A LOT of work, I'm super grateful for the quick and professional service they had. Looking forward to coming back soon!!! read more
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More info about TORACHAN JAPANESE BBQ
15476 S Western Ave
Ste 106
Gardena, CA 90249
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(310) 323-4129
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