Authentic Japanese chicken yakitori, this place transports you to Japan This place is elite, the food is incredible, even the chicken ramen is worth coming for alone Be prepared for a long wait if you don't have a reservation or come when the restaurant opens read more

Today I came here with a group of friends for dinner. Overall, the experience was just okay and honestly a little disappointing. First, the staff was not very friendly or welcoming. The restaurant was also extremely crowded, and we waited for more than an hour before getting seated. Even after we were seated, two of our friends had to stand outside for another 30+ minutes because there were not enough seats available. Another issue was the food quality. The chicken was not cooked very thoroughly, and if you have a sensitive stomach, I honestly would not recommend eating here because some of us did not feel very well afterward. Also, the space inside is very small and cramped. If you are taller or have a bigger body frame, it may feel pretty uncomfortable dining here. The place is popular and busy, but personally I don't think the overall experience matched the long wait or the price. read more

It's pretty ridiculous when they says there fully booked when we are walk-ins and half the restaurant is empty. Pretty disappointing and I honestly really love this place. Fees like a members only type of place. Really sad. Honestly disappointed read more

Torigoya - 1/4 of restaurant empty - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Torigoya is a beautiful and elegant yakitori house that's going to be difficult to walk in during the busy hours but for amazing reasons! From what I understand they do chicken here, and it's done in what feels to be a million different ways. Skewers to gizzard to hearts to fried chicken, and meaty rice, it feels like a different meal all in one. Everything was tender, seasoned on point and was brought out in timely manners. The staff was attentive and they were very kind. It's a smaller inside- tables plus bar seating but it fills up very quick. There's a reason this place is at the top and the only way to find out is to come and try! read more

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Legit yakitori spot! Enjoyed their meatball, wing, breast, soft thigh, and zucchini. They forgot our shiitakes and we should have spoke up sooner bc they cooked it right away upon being notified. Their agedashi tofu was also a stand out for me (chewy melty outside as if it were wrapped in mochi!!). Cucumbers with the miso paste is a nice "chaser" and helps balance all the meat. Many people got the side ginger sauce. We got the yuzu and I could have done without (not special) but was nice flavor addition. Service could improve, as it's a bit matter of fact (cultural) but it's not a deterrent. You just have to be a bit more assertive so if that's not your thing, you're warned! It was fun to sit at the counter, but would only recommend for 1-2 persons. We parked in underground parking and thankfully had to do some grocery shopping after at Marukai so was able to be validated -- this restaurant does NOT validate. All in all, def would return but will keep track of what we order / receive next time hehe read more

Torigoya - Agedashi tofu - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I tried Torigoya's 10 course menu plus some additional skewers and the oyako bowl. It's not the best I've had, but it's not bad. I usually like going early, right when they open to avoid the crowds since they have limited staff, and everything can get a bit slow when it's busy. Keep in mind it's just Tomo-san grilling every skewer himself, so patience is definitely key. I prefer ordering everything at once so he can pace the yakitori. Reservations are a MUST here unless you don't mind waiting. Price-wise, it's pretty standard for LA. Used to be $35.50 for the 10 course 2 years ago, now it's $43. I've noticed more yakitori places opening up lately, so I'm excited to try those and see how they compare with Torigoya. read more

Torigoya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been wanting to eat chicken skewers and this was the spot recommended to me. Reservation is mandatory unless you want to wait until 9pm to start eating. I ordered a bunch of skewers and a rice bowl which arrived slowly over the course of 2 hrs. Breast - super juicy and flavorful, small amount of wasabi gives it a slight kick, also goes really well adding the spice condiment Gizzard - chewy, springy and strong taste. One of the better gizzards that I've had. Nice smoked flavor with pinch of salt. Thigh - soft and juicy but lacking the chicken flavor compared to breast, also less juicy than breast but springier Skin with sauce - great smoked flavor, slight sweetness from the sauce, chewy and springy Meatball with salt - strong chicken flavor but kind of dry. Really good texture though with that dryness so not a negative aspect. Meatball with sauce - sauce gives it a sweetness and is less dry compared to the one with salt. I like this one over the salt one Soft thigh - juiciest skewer and strong chicken flavor, had a light springy texture but all I could taste was the chicken juices and chicken meat Neck - the second juiciest piece but with a light chicken taste compared to breast. Meat is springy but not as elastic as skin or gizzard. Eggplant - smoked eggplant and very soft, the way they cook it, the eggplant also retains all the water Zucchini - I liked this one more over the eggplant, also smoked flavor and super watery inside Soboro bowl - first time having grounded chicken meat with sauce and rice in a bowl like this. Light chicken taste with grainy texture + a sweet sauce on top of soft rice. Mixing the quail egg in gave a nice gooeyness. Overall, food is decent but service is atrocious. I get that they are busy but the servers pretty much ignore customers most of the time. Food is a little bit expensive for quantity and taste but there really is no other option for chicken skewers in the surrounding neighborhood. This is more of a you settle with what is available kind of spot. read more

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The food was tasty with many different options to explore. Albeit the location being a bit obscure as it's on the the 2nd floor of a shopping plaza, I would still consider it accessible via stairs and an elevator. .It seems a bit crowded as they have limited business hours , so a return trip might be an order on a less busy night. The Ambiance can be casual or romantic depending upon where you are seated .The matcha beer was delicious (kirin) and i recommend getting the Habanero dipping sauce (extra $) for the assorted skewers of which there are a pretty decent variety. Solid 4 of 5 maybe improved promptness of service could change that in the future. read more

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Torigoya is hands down one of the best spots in Little Tokyo if you love yakitori. The skewers are perfectly grilled with just the right amount of smokiness, and you can really taste the quality of the chicken. Every piece came out juicy, tender, and seasoned beautifully. The atmosphere is cozy and authentic, with that intimate izakaya vibe that makes you feel like you're in Japan. The staff was super friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. I know the service can be slow but that's how busy restaurant is. Highlights for me were the tsukune (chicken meatball) and the chicken skin both were incredible. Pairing it all with a cold drink made it perfect. In the end finish with ramen was perfect ! If you're in Japan Town and craving yakitori, this is a must-visit. Five stars all the way! read more

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I was in Japan not too long and was craving yakitori. I know it's tough to find a place here that is comparable to authentic Japanese food from Japan, but Torigoya is as close as it gets. We got the 10 skewers course (chicken breast, liver, gizzard, meatball, Chicken thigh/skin/heart/wing, 2 vegetables); chicken Nanban. For drinks we got a matcha beer which tasted like regular beer with a hint of matcha. Food was amazing but it was a busy night so had to wave down the server for everything. Maybe because we were seated at the very far end of the bar. Service can be improved since we felt invisible. They catered to regulars and Japanese customers more. Overall a good resturant but go at non-peak hours. read more

Torigoya - Chicken nanban - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Stressed-out logistics and long waits for "okay" food We arrived at 7:00 PM and weren't seated until 8:30 PM, making us the second-to-last seating before last call. The entry system is stressful: you put your name on a clipboard and have to hover nearby because the server (who is also juggling orders) might skip you if you aren't right there when they call. The math here is tough for diners: with only 7 tables and 14 bar spots, and only a 4-hour window, the turnover is incredibly slow. Expect a 45-minute wait for every 30 minutes you arrive past their 6:00 PM opening. While the staff is nice, the food doesn't justify the 'desperation' of the wait. Realistically, expect to spend closer to $50/person rather than $30. In this economy, you're better off booking a nearby yakitori spot with a reservation for a barrier-free, relaxing experience. read more

One of the worst restaurant/ customer service experiences. And overall absurd. We put our name down and waited outside like everyone else. A hostess came out, called our name and sat us. We ordered then the server comes up and says we need to go back outside, because we skipped the line and sat ourselves... which we absolutely did not do. We went outside to not cause a scene. Then they called us again and sat us at the exact same table. We wanted an explanation, so we asked what was going on. Instead of saying 'oh there was a miscommunication' and clearing things up, they doubled down and insisted that we crossed our own name off the list and sat ourselves. The hostess who originally called us didn't step in to correct anything. They just kept blaming us for something we didn't do. The whole situation was frustrating, and completely mishandled. It felt like the staff would rather accuse customers. Definitely won't be coming back. read more

Food is very good. Service is friendly. I have been coming to this place every year when we visit Los Angeles. It's very tasty and has great service. read more

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I was too busy enjoying the food to take any photos, but this place never disappoints. Everything here is always delicious, and their rice bowls are absolutely amazing. They also serve great drinks that pair perfectly with the food -- definitely one of my favorite Japanese-style skewer spots! read more

If you're a japanese grill chicken skewer person! this is a must visit Plan ahead as there tends to be a line and some of the chicken parts and skewers could sell out! Thats how good it is! Surprisingly there isn't too many options for this type of grilled bbq in los angeles. Its pretty legit and authentic too We got to try a new shochu and even won a bottle in the raffle, so lucky! The side dishes are great too, small ricebowls are available if the chicken sticks don't fill you up! Alot of people tend to really sit and take their time, they need to start doing the time limit thing maybe? We even had time to visit marukai downstairs to do some shopping ( sake tasting ) Employee service is obviously great and the food never fails I like how you have the option for sauce or salt too nice to switch it up read more

The best yakitori I've had outside of Japan by far, no contest. Always fantastic, friendly service and terrific food and ambiance that makes it worth the trip out to Little Tokyo every time. An absolute favorite spot in the entire Los Angeles area that I can't recommend enough. read more

Torigoya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

04/19/25 It was mine and my boyfriend's first time trying out the place. One of the cooks actually recommended me this place to try out and thank you for that! It's atmosphere was amazing. The girl server that served us was polite, nice and respectful. She is great at her job and knows what she's doing. The food was good and affordable but some of them that was on the skewers could use more seasoning. The mushroom was burnt and salty...so what was going on there??? lol The cooks cooked the food good. We were about to pay but the nice server lady brought out our chicken wings super late (we totally forgot about it hahaha) but it turned out to be super crunchy and delicious. read more

Torigoya - わさびの鶏の胸肉はおいしかったが、一度噛むと乾燥していた。風味を増すために調味料を使うことができたが、全体的には良かった。 - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Time is money -- and this place wasted both. We arrived on a Saturday night, party of three, and joined the waitlist at exactly 7:34 PM. The host told us it would be about 30 minutes. (cue in SpongeBob's time card voice) "A few moments later..." We check in. "Just 15-20 more minutes," they say. "20 minutes later..." Still nothing. Still smiling like everything's fine. "One eternity later..." Still waiting. Still food-less. Still wondering if we accidentally signed up for a waitlist at the DMV. Finally, at 9:02 PM, we were seated -- at the bar. And because we clearly hadn't suffered enough, we were then told that most of their popular menu items were already sold out. I guess we should've brought snacks to survive the wait. The only saving grace? The beer was cold. That's the extra star right there. Ice-cold beer and a warm sense of betrayal. If you enjoy long, mysterious waits and eating what's left after the kitchen's been picked clean, this place is for you. Otherwise, head over to Izakaya Bizan down the street. They serve chicken and beef -- and maybe even seat you before you start aging visibly. read more

Authentic Japanese izakaya experience if you sit at the counter! We bought a shochu for the chef grilling all the skewers; good vibes all around. I came around 8:30pm on a Tuesday night and there was no wait and plenty of seats available at the counter. Ordered some skewers, chicken nanban, takowasa, agedashi tofu, and asahi beers. The restaurant is located in the plaza shared by kinokuniya and marukai! There is a parking structure where you can get validated parking at marukai if you purchase an item. read more

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Tried a variety of items from their miso cucumber, Tako wasa, shishito peppers, marinated deep fried chicken, chicken ramen, and their 10 course skewer set + various a la carte skewers. Some of the best tasting chicken I've had in a long time. Fresh and grilled perfectly. Simple and authentic, true to Japanese taste. Many things excellent, some things adventurous and good to try once. Enjoyed a Dassai 45 to wash it all down. $60 a person for a party of 4 post tax. A good experience but LONG wait bc you're intended to keep snacking and drinking with this type of food. Try to come early or get some stuff from marukai market to hold you down. Service was ok - had to ask for water 3x lol, but they were nice. 4.5 stars read more

Torigoya - Miso Cucumber, tako wasa, shishito peppers - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Torigoya in Little Tokyo is hands-down a must-try if you're a fan of chicken skewers done right. I've been coming here since college-- it's been over 10 years now -- first with my family, and now with my boyfriend. It's one of those rare places that has stood the test of time in LA, and I truly appreciate that, especially with how quickly restaurants come and go these days. Their specialty is chicken, and every single part you can think of -- from the thigh to heart to liver -- is prepared to perfection. Always flavorful, always consistent, and always fresh. Pair it with a cold draft beer or a smooth glass of sake, and you've got the perfect meal. That combination right there? It's everything you need to end your day on the best note possible. I usually go every few months, and every time it hits the spot. Whether it's a cozy date night or a chill dinner with friends or coworkers, Torigoya delivers a warm, casual vibe with high-quality food that never disappoints. Two thumbs up from me -- forever a fan. Highly, highly recommend! read more

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Food was pretty amazing! The staff is also friendly and nice. Would come back again and again! read more

Torigoya is legit! We waited almost 45 minutes when there there only 3 parties ahead of us and once we finally got in, it was worth the wait. If you get the chance, sit on the counter. We were able to see all the action, sounds and smells that lends to their authenticity. We walked in and it brought me back to the last time we visited Japan. The restaurant was surrounded in wood. It looks like something you would find in a smaller city, like Fukuaoka. Don't be shocked by the prices as everyone's prices are going up. But you have to look at the intrinsic value of the whole experience. We ordered a lot of different items from the menu and not one disappointed. Although you may shake your head at two pieces of grilled eggplant for almost $4, I hope you didn't just order that. Their karaage is probably one of the best I've had in a long time. The chicken was marinated perfectly and the coating was lite and crunchy. They ran out of chicken skin skewers so we opted for the chicken skin appetizer with vinegar and it took us by surprise. The raw, white onions under the chicken did not have a strong flavor that overpowered the chicken. One by one the chef brought over the skewers and each of them had their own distinct flavor and texture. Chicken hearts, thighs, wings, meatballs...they were all delicious. If you are planning to bring a group, I would recommend reservations as it is small and the style of service and cooking isn't a quick dining experience. So take your time, soak it up because this is as close to eating in Japan as you can get. Cleanliness 9/10 Bathrooms 8/10 Ambiance 10/10 Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Value 9/10 Will I Return? Yes! read more

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100 ways to serve chicken but it's still chicken. To be fair the items have authentic Japanese flavors. As you step into this unassuming gem, you'll find yourself transported to the bustling streets of Tokyo. Get the chicken meatballs, soft chicken thighs skip the chicken breast kinda bland. Yakitori everything: Torigoya lives up to its reputation as a premier yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) spot. The aroma of charcoal-grilled chicken fills the air, promising a delicious dinner. Service was ok hence the 3 stars. read more

Torigoya - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Yakitori in Little Tokyo on the second floor is named Torigoya and is one of the tastiest I have had in a long time. Yakitori is pretty much a Japanese store that serves skewered meat on little bamboo sticks. Came here on a Friday night and had reservations so when we got here the table was already set for us. We for a paper menu where you tick off the items that you would want to have and enjoy. They do serve sake and beer here if you would like to drink but we just got hot green tea which kept us nice and toasty. Chicken soup is tasty and you should order one. There is a chicken rice bowl and well that can be shared between us which is also pretty nice. They have a variety of vegetables on skewers like eggplant, mushroom, and tomato. Plenty of variety for the yakitori on meat such as chicken, beef, hearts, and skin. All this is cooked by one man flipping and taking a lot of care on your food order. I think my favorite and must-order would be chicken skin, soup, and shishito peppers! Those were pretty delicious. read more

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I finally got to try this place after passing by so many times! It's located on the second floor of Weller Court. You can make a reservation or put your name on the list when they open. Wait times vary so I'd recommend coming early. Torigoya specializes in chicken yakitori. They also offer some veggie options but if you're looking for pork or beef options, this probably isn't the place for you. I really enjoyed the special heart and meatball. They also offer other chicken dishes and appetizers. The chicken ramem had a rich yet light broth. Their oyakodon is cooked perfectly, and definitely one of my favorites now. Your food is cooked as you order so there is a bit of a wait, but definitely worth it! read more

Torigoya - Oyakodon - Japanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This place is a one and done for me. Don't get me wrong. I feel the food in Torigoya is superior compared to other yakitori. I can definitely taste the freshness, the flavor, the texture, and the smokiness of the special charcoal they use. The care that the chefs put into each item is commendable. But my husband and I return to places that provide dining experience as a whole. We will definitely overlook certain discomforts if other areas of superiority were provided. We are happy to lose some battles to win the war. And thus, i think torigoya overall was a war lost. We came without reservation for party of 3, waited a little over an hour. Skewers comes out type by type freshly made over the course of close!to 2 hrs. Reminded the busy staff a missing dish to which they forgot regardless - but at least they did not give us too much grief to take it off the check. So take my advice: make your reservations, never come hungry, and enjoy your company more than the food. read more

Torigoya is a solid spot with friendly staff. We've been a couple of times as it's one of our favorite yakitori restaurants in LA. Few Tips: Reservations - call a day ahead (after 6pm) and make a reservation. Otherwise, you'll wait outside for a longggg time. Ordering - order everything at the beginning because the food comes out slowly and at different times. The skewers are very small so I would recommend ordering at least 4 skewers/person. ALWAYS order items like chicken skin and special heart/liver ASAP because those run out quickly. Skip - gizzards. Chewy and flavorless. Favorites - soft thigh (lol), chicken skin, liver, heart, meatball, mushrooms. We tend to like the items in salt instead of the sauce. Parking - there are 2 parking garages that directly connect to the plaza. Street parking is difficult to find. I would give this spot 5 stars if the food came out a bit more consistently. Last couple of visits we were there for almost 2 hours and only received maybe half of our food. Don't let it deter you though... use the strategies above and you're in for a good night! :) read more

I visited around 9 PM for dinner on last Saturday . After being seated, we waited quite a while without receiving menus or water. Even when we tried to get a server's attention, we were repeatedly told to "please wait," but no one came back. It was close to closing time, and the restaurant was not busy, with very few guests present. When we finally asked for menus, they were handed to us without any explanation and the server left immediately. When the food was served, the dishes were placed on the table without any description of what they were. Since we ordered several items, it was unclear which dish was which, and I had to call the server back to ask for explanations. Out of the three female servers working that evening, the one who appeared to be older handled things more professionally and followed basic service etiquette. Unfortunately, the other two younger servers came across as inattentive and rude. Explaining dishes when serving food feels like a very basic part of restaurant service, especially when multiple items are ordered. This did not happen even once unless I specifically asked. Overall, the lack of basic service was disappointing. If the owner or manager sees this, I would strongly recommend additional staff training. Based on this experience, I don't feel inclined to return. Foods were not bad tho. read more

Worst customer service, waited outside before it opened, and server didn't want to sit us

We had just got back from Tokyo the weekend before and had a craving/want to find good Yakatori close to home. Nailed it! We ordered the 10 course yakatori. It came with a variety of skewers and everything was delicious. We loved the chicken liver and ordered more. Solid experience in Little Tokyo and plenty to do around when you're done. Service was friendly and efficient. Place is busy and you can expect to wait up to an hour or more. read more

Was craving Japanese Yakitori since I have not had any legit ones since Japan. Spotted this place and Yelp and gave it a shot. Super small and unassuming place but the food is simple and clean tasting. Everything was delicious and paired with Sapporo was perfect. Would come back. read more

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Torigoya is amazing. Every single skewer I've ordered makes me wow in how good it tastes. I love the authenticity of the food and the atmosphere! They sometimes have a wait but it is so worth it. I got seated at the bar the first time I've been here and a regular table the second. Staff here is extremely attentive and kind, no matter where I'm seated! They also usually bring skewers to you one at a time so you can take your time enjoying each one! It also ensures you're getting your food straight from off the grill which is amazing. I'm always satisfied with the food and service here. I love chicken heart and the special chicken heart skewers here are soooo good. Would definitely recommend trying it out! Locals and regulars here are also fun to talk to! Atmosphere is great too (: Will definitely be back soon! read more

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Hubby & I were invited by his friend & gf to join them here for dinner tonight. It was our first time here for hubby & I & we enjoyed every bite of their food. Service was slow as they brought 1 skewer at a time but it was worth the wait. Their yakitori (chicken skin, soft thigh, soft bone, meatball, shiitake mushroom, & eggplant) were was the best I've had compared to other places I've been to. It's authentic, tender, & full of flavor. We also had spicy garlic shishito, Agedashi tofu, octopus in wasabi, seaweed salad, & Soboro bowl which is ground chicken rice bowl with quail egg, green onion, & sesame. The Agedashi tofu was served warm & cooked nicely. The octopus in wasabi was fresh & had the right amount of wasabi kick to it. The ground chicken in the Soboro bowl was soft & tasty. As for drinks, we had matcha beer, & shared a bottle of cold sake. The matcha beer was surprisingly GooD! Sake was smooth & paired well with everything. I look forward to coming back to try their other skewers & dishes on their menu. read more

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A group of us came here for a celebratory dinner on a Saturday night at 6pm. The restaurant only opens for 4 hours a day, so making reservations is a must. We all ordered the 10 Skewers Course ($34) and added the Heart ($2.99) and Special Heart ($4.20) from a la carte. We also got the fresh wasabi ($3.50) and house made ginger sauce ($2.80) that my friend recommended. The ginger sauce reminded me of the Hainan chicken sauce basically. The chicken soup and salad that was included in the course was heartwarming and refreshing --both really great starters. Most of the skewers were tender and flavorful, except the breast. Favorites were definitely the thigh and skin. I also didn't care too much for the tomato, so I do wish they offered a different vegetable. The skewers were good, but there were some long wait times between the courses, which easily makes this a 2 hour dinner. Towards the end, they had to ask if they forgot any skewers, which we had to remind them of 3 more. Good thing I took photos, but it's a bit of a mess that no one is keeping track of the orders. To accompany our food, we also shared a bottle of Jyumai Daikinjyou ($65 for 720ML). This was nice and we had multiple rounds between the four of us. Overall, solid spot for yakitori. If you come as a pair, I'd recommend getting a bar seat so you can watch them grill the skewers. read more

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Food is a solid 4 star!!! Service is awful. Especially the lady who seats the customers has an attitude. Beware. One of the waiter is also dismissive when you inquire about the wait. Even though the whole restaurant is open. Because it's all reserved they really have a superiority complex. They don't seem appreciative of customers because the restaurant itself does well. It's not like servers do anything but take orders and bring it out. Plus they're slow. Slow with the turnaround from when the customer leaves as well as taking orders. The kitchen is on the slow side as well. But that's understandable. As for the food, the yakitori is great. The oyako don is awesome. But again, the lady with the attitude just kinda throws it on the dish with no respect for the customer as well as the food. It's a shame but an hour long wait is not worth it. Most people seem to have reservations. As good as the food was, I don't think I'll be back. read more

Awesome place at Little Tokyo!! We waited 15-20 mins to get seated for 4 people, which isn't too bad. I highly recommend the thigh skewers -- they were my favorite. I also recommend the chicken nappan with the tartar sauce on top. Overall great place to try for an authentic Japanese experience! read more

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Best yakitori in all of Southern California by far. If you're looking for perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned yakitori with unique flavors and just overall balance, this is definitely the spot for you. I've been coming to Torigoya for around 8 years now and it has to be my favorite restaurant here in LA. I sometimes get a beer and pour a glass for the chef and honestly it's one of the funnest experiences as he comes and just chats with you while the food is cooking. It's table bar seating (there are some tables around too) but that's what makes the experience so fun. Staff is extremely kind and the restaurant is an experience overall. You don't just sit down and leave, you sit down, talk to the chef, pour him a beer, he pours you some and you just have a great time. Best Japanese restaurant in all of LA, check this place out! read more

Probably the best yakitori in LA--at least that I've been to. Very good organ skewers which is hard to do well, to not retain the unpleasant flavors. Reserve in advance! read more

Sit at the counter. Enjoy every part of the chicken. It's a fantastic, unhurried experience. Supplement with a chicken rice bowl and a side of soup. Don't forget to order the quail egg skewers. Pay for the sauces (mustard and pepper) too. read more