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    TORACHAN JAPANESE BBQ

    4.6 (86 reviews)
    PriceyJapanese, Barbeque
    Open • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Jenn C.

    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.

    Lisa K.

    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!!

    Menu 4 of 4
    Lee L.

    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.

    Jamie L.

    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 !

    Kalbi, coulette, pork cheek, seasonal vegetables
    Matt O.

    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!

    Wagyu
    Milko M.

    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.

    Short rib, Soup, salad and dipping sauces.
    Gene X.

    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.

    The premium malt beer
    Ichika G.

    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.

    Senga P.

    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!

    Sake
    Jailen T.

    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.

    Menu
    Francine L.

    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.

    Hope L.

    I love torachan Customer service is great All meats and Reimen also great too I highly recommend this place

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    18 days ago

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    1 month ago

    Beef was good, salad, kimchi, cheese pancake was great. We did the deal recommended for two people and it was the perfect amount of food!

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Good selection. Fast service. Great experience. Not a long line at all. Attendant was polite and attentive. Will come again.

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    2 years ago

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    29 days ago

    Service is really good and the food is delicious! I highly recommend this place and the ambiance is amazing!

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    TORACHAN JAPANESE BBQ Reviews in Other Languages

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    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant

    4.2(879 reviews)
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    Among Southern California's K‑BBQ spots, Yellow Cow has long been recognized for its refined Korean…read morefundamentals and consistent meat quality. At the Gardena location, I tried the banchan crafted directly by Kim Young‑sook, a certified Korean culinary master, along with the chadol + samgyeopsal + nakji stir‑fry combo, kimchi stew, steamed egg, and cheese pancake. Her banchan are known for being: Never excessive Focused on the natural flavor of each ingredient Clean, balanced, and beautifully composed Served with a banchan cover that keeps everything protected and perfectly neat. Each dish feels like a quiet supporter that enhances the meat without ever overpowering it. Chadolbagi : The richness is unbeatable -- pure, clean beefy flavor. Samgyeopsal : A perfect match with aged kimchi. Truly a dream pairing. Nakji-bokkeum : Sweet, salty, and spicy all at once -- the kind of flavor that makes you reach for a spoonful of rice immediately. Cheese Pancake : Crispy outside, soft inside, with melted cheese wrapping around the green onions. Great texture between bites of meat. Kimchi Stew : The depth of aged kimchi comes through clearly -- not harsh, just clean and comforting. Steamed Egg : Soft, fluffy, and cloud‑like. Simple but perfect.

    This place gets a ton of love via social media so I'm sure you've heard of it?…read more Why Yellow Cow Korean BBQ? * Been around locally since 1998 (25 years) * Cool to see the owner Monica Kim still working hard * Banchan dishes are homemade and fresh NOT SURE I would come back based on the pricing versus what you get IMO 4/5 Food - Delish BBQ and meat quality was solid. - Soup after the BBQ was HUGE! 4/5 Service - Friendly and quick service from all staff members including Monica coming over to help 4/5 Parking - Easy ample parking 4/5 Ambience - Clean tables and location, they are pretty packed all the time

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    3.8(241 reviews)
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    Alright, round two at this cozy Korean spot, and let me tell you, it's still got that laid-back,…read morelate-evening magic that makes you want to kick back, loosen your belt, and whisper "I'm not leaving until I'm spiritually full." The crew here moves like a well-oiled machine powered by kindness and caffeine. Quick, friendly, and somehow always smiling, even when the line looks like a K-drama cliffhanger. You order, blink...wait...blink again then suddenly your food's ready. It's the kind of service that makes you feel like you accidentally joined a VIP club. Very comforting. Still chill, still cozy, still giving "I could eat here in slippers" energy. The vibe's so relaxed you half expect a couch to appear next to your table. It's the perfect spot for late-night cravings or post-work decompression , no pressure, no nonsense, just good food and good mood. Check your energy at the door prior to stepping in. Now, let's talk about the holy trinity of my meal, Ddeok Bokki with cheese, kimchi fried rice, and fried chicken, aka the "I'm gonna need a nap after this" combo. *Ddeok Bokki with cheese, Imagine spicy rice cakes doing a slow dance with melted cheese, wow it's gooey, fiery, and comforting in a way that makes you question the taste buds craving more (like why you don't eat this daily). Every bite is a little adventure: chewy, creamy, and slightly dangerous if you underestimate the spice. * Kimchi fried rice, amazingly Smoky, tangy, and perfectly balanced, like the DJ of the meal, keeping everything vibing. The kimchi flavor hits that sweet spot between "I'm alive" and "I might need water." It's the kind of dish that makes you nod mid-bite like you just heard a good beat. * The chicken, super Crispy outside, juicy inside, the kind of crunch that could be used as a sound effect in movies. It's seasoned like it's trying to flirt with you, and honestly, it's working. Every piece feels like a small victory in the war against bland food. Second time back and still laughing between bites, not because anything's funny, but because the food's that good. It's the kind of meal that makes your stomach clap and your soul hum. If happiness had a flavor, it'd taste like this. "One bite at a time!" Miguel C.

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    4.6(193 reviews)
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    HELLO PEASANTS! I write to you from Heaven, for I have…read moretasted the goodness of God here at Wagyu Butcher, and I have transcended to a higher place. It starts with one of the chefs enthusiastically showing me and my wife some of the A5 Wagyu that he'd be using from Japan and I'm like, "sir. I know wagyu." I took my wife to The Cut on our first Valentines together (not compensating) and they had good Wagyu. I was wrong, dear readers. Dead wrong. This place knows Wagyu. Whichever tier you get, make sure it either comes with, or add on the A5 Wagyu Filet. They'll tell you to cook it 45 seconds each side (so 6 times), but here's a trick. do 45 seconds on four sides (the top, bottom, and the long sides), and then a bit of salt if you need it and some lemon slice. ADD THE LEMON JUICE!! BUT NOT TOO MUCH. That will take you out. You're welcome peasants. Think of me when you try it. Or don't. I might be pooping and I don't like the idea of people thinking of me while I poo. The server was awesome too. I didn't catch her name because I was too busy being a fatass.

    A really unique and authentic Japanese wagyu experience! The restaurant seats everyone at the…read morecounter, almost like an omakase sushi restaurant, except the focus here is wagyu from Kagoshima, Japan. I chose the Wagyu Omakase, and it was definitely a big and filling meal. You cook each piece of wagyu one by one at the counter, so this is a great place if you want to slow down, enjoy the process, and really take your time with dinner. The meat was very good, although some pieces were more heavily marinated than I personally prefer, but overall it wasn't too much. The service was good, the atmosphere was nice, and the whole experience felt very Japanese and authentic. The surrounding area also has quite a few authentic Japanese restaurants, so it's a great neighborhood for Japanese food lovers. Definitely worth checking out if you love wagyu and want something a little different from the usual sushi omakase!

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    TORACHAN JAPANESE BBQ - japanese - Updated September 2026

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