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    Torikizoku

    4.0 (285 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Kelsey C.

    Japan's most popular chain came to Torrance! Stuff on sticks with some sides is all you see on this menu, though they have a few daily specials as well. Tako Karaage was special indeed. Skewers are great, chicken heart and quail eggs rank among my faces. They have all the classics, including beef, thicken thigh, meatball, etc. Don't skip dessert - the Melon Soda Float is magnificent, and the Hochija Pudding could win awards. Good food, good fun. Nice for a little lunch or a later night nosh.

    Corn and sausage Chicken skin Chicken cartilage
    Lea K.

    Finally got to try this place and I honestly thought it was okay. About $8 per two skewers but the chicken was mostly chewy and dry for my part. Considering it was a place for "tori" I wasn't impressed. Also ordered a beef skewer but it never came out so I couldn't try it. We got lots of appetizers like chicken skin which the flavor was underwhelming. So we asked for sauce but had to purchase it for $4, which was a bit odd for me to purchase. Sadly I am not sure if I would come back. Maybe if it's a group that really wanted to try it. Parking is a bit busy and limited. So just make sure to come early.

    Soggy "grilled" rice ball
    Rose L.

    We won't be returning. The food was disappointing and service was mediocre. I made reservations via OpenTable for two and made another one for a different day (in case it passes the taste test) to take my dad to for Father's Day. Yakitori was for the most part $8 for a set of two. The quality was not worth the $4 per skewer. For skewers, we had gotten liver, heart, wing, chicken meatball, thigh with onion, chicken breast with plum. Also got the cucumber salad, fried chicken skin, and spicy karaage. The biggest complaint was that most of the skewers that didn't come with sauce were under salted and I would say it's pretty dry as well. The cucumber salad was bad because it was bitter in every piece I ate so I ended up not finishing it. The spicy karaage was an absolute no. I took one bite and didn't finish it. My boyfriend ate a small piece and the rest of the dish went untouched. When it came to ordering the finishing dish, I had called for service. The gentleman said brb he's going to grab his tablet... Only for him to come back to grab the table next to mine's order and left lol. I had to call for service again with someone else and ordered a grilled rice ball and the ramen. Grilled rice ball was a disappointment (not even surprised anymore). It was completely soft (probably too much sauce) so it wasn't crispy on the outside at all. The boyfriend enjoyed the ramen and I did try the broth and it was actually pretty good. Um, I guess the best part was the yuzu sour drink I had ordered and the broth from the ramen. I also ended up canceling my second dinner reservation for next time when the skewers came out. Never again.

    Shannon W.

    Where to begin? I honestly hadn't heard of this chain before walking in. I was actually just hunting for ramen after making a return at Walmart and thought I spotted a spot pulling into the lot. I came by myself and ordered five items plus a Yuzu Sapporo. You have to get the Yuzu Sapporo. I loved it, especially paired with the chicken skin. Perfect match. The service was great; the waiter came by and gave me a full run-through of how the menu works. Here's the breakdown: Ramen: Must-get. Grilled Ground Chicken Rice Bowl: Must-get. Fried Seared Chicken Skin Chips: Do get! Kizoku Yaki (Thigh w/ Teriyaki): Do get! Shiitake Skewer: Skip. It was small and kind of dry. I walked out super satisfied. I feel for the people who were disappointed because they've been to other locations after the fact, but I noticed the menu is already changing (saw a couple of updated editions), so hopefully they keep growing. I'd attribute my good experience to the responsive waiter, getting seated immediately at the bar, and the fact that I crushed it with my order. I'm already thinking about coming back because we really need more yakitori spots for those "in-between" stages, like a late lunch or a late- day cravings when you just want variety and small bites. That's exactly what a yakitori spot should be! It's smoky. Be prepared!

    Katie E.

    Came here for dinner last night with my husband. Very clean and service was amazing. This is why I give them a 5 stars. Food is a 4 stars, but because of the excellent staff service, 5 stars. We ordered: Mune kizokuyaki - chicken breast all spice (tare may be a better choice, but my husband wanted to try mixed spices since it was different) Unagi (eel) Teba (chicken wings) Very flavorful Ebi (shrimp) the head and shell were left on, so won't order it again as it's too much work to remove the shell and fingers get dirty) Tsukune (chicken meatballs) Beef harami steak with mashed potatoes & cabbage- only $2 more to add side mashed & cabbage Tori Q (marinated cucumbers) Agedashi Tofu Houjicha pudding for dessert (loved it) Drinks : houijicha tea and Sapporo beer Overall, for the price and the size, it's well worth it. Again, had better yakitori's elsewhere, but serving size is much smaller, so you end up ordering more; which means more $$$$. Service was also amazing and food came out quick. Our favorite picks are: Unagi, teba, tsukune, beef harami, & Tori Q cucumbers. Will come back again for sure to try other skewers/apps. I will definitely order the chicken breast/green onions in tare sauce next time as opposed the mixed spices. In summary, I highly recommend to check this place out and experience the great ambiance and service.

    Jorge T.

    Amazing food and service. The ramen and gyozas were our favorite. Would recommend if ever in Torrance or by the del amo mall. The decor inside was pleasant to look at while eating.

    Yuzu-shio ramen
    Hiro S.

    I'll give them solid 4-stars. I've been to Torikizoku in Japan, but this was the first time to go to the one in the US. (I've been to Zoku in Redondo Beach which is run by the same company, btw) The ambiance is nice and clean - much brighter and actually gives a bit nicer impression than the ones (typical izakaya atmosphere) in Japan. The service was solid - there were three servers checking/serving us during our visit, so no complaints. The food: Don't forget to order Yuzu-shio ramen when you visit. It really fits as nice 'closing' dish in lieu of dessert (for me!)

    Harame Skewer
    Jeanette C.

    I'm writing an updated review since I actually received everything I ordered in my last visit. Coincidentally got Logan again as my server and appreciated his due diligence in making sure all ordered items arrived in a timely fashion. In no particular order, I remember eating & drinking the: Yuzu Sour, Torikawa Chips, Harame Skewers, Momo Kizokuyaki w/tare, Tsukune, and Hatsu. I was surprised, the Tsukune really impressed me. Lots of yakitori places mess this up by drying out the meat. A nearly perfect skewer I don't have a picture of because I ate it so fast. I will definitely get more than one order of this next time. The texture of chicken heart however, took me a couple of bites to get into, but I ended up liking it. I was glad I tried something new! Both the Harame beef & their chicken thigh + green onion skewers were safe and delicious choices to order again. A good & healthy reminder for all, including myself - that not receiving skewers that I highlighted in my last/2nd visit was an isolated case. I noticed that prices have really shot up since their opening. Given the range of skewers, I'd really like to see a variation of pricing other than $14 for 2 or $8 for 2. I think this place could really fill up if they added a couple of their basic/tried and true skewers on the happy hour menu. If the dinner prices were slightly lower, I'd imagine they'd build a loyal customer base with more regulars. Traditionally, yakitori isn't exactly the kind of food where the bill skyrockets. But I do understand why it's priced the way it is. The yakitori masters are a true credit to their craft!

    Tori Q
    Linda C.

    2.5 stars Stopped by Torikizoku after work hoping for a quick, easy dinner. The Yelp photos and reviews didn't exactly sell me but sake and chicken skewers sounded like a safe bet. I also managed to miss happy hour by literally minutes (walked in at 6:33...it ends at 6:30, of course). Ordered the Kubota sake, tako karaage, tori Q, and mune kizokuyaki. Total came out to about $44 with 20% tip. Food wise...pretty underwhelming. The tako karaage was chewy and didn't taste fresh and the oil had this off flavor that kind of ruined it for me. The skewers were just okay, nothing bad but nothing I'd go back for either. Overall, kinda regret stopping in. It wasn't terrible, just probably wouldn't return.

    Inside
    Kunous K.

    Start with what you absolutely must try: · Chicken skin chips -- we ordered two rounds · Chicken wings -- incredibly juicy · Nankotsu karaage -- great, but best enjoyed quickly while it's hot · Yuzu ramen -- outstanding yuzu flavor paired with a rich, thick chicken broth My advice: stick with the chicken items -- that's clearly what they do best. I'd pass on the chicken meatballs and okonomiyaki. Service was a bit shaky -- our order got mixed up or sent to another table, and one server kept approaching at awkward moments, even trying to take our sake bottle before we were done. That said, the overall vibe was good, and parking is easy to find.

    Kevin O.

    Very flavorful! Different taste for chicken and special sauce kick in. And marinated perfectly! Bbq is bomb , appetizer is excellent! I would comeback here or please open near San Gabriel valley!

    Erica B.

    Stopped by this location because I heard they had great skewers. I ordered karaage, steak and chicken skewers and onigiri. I ordered my food to go because I didn't have time to dine but they did inform me it's not a typical thing they do however they are on DoorDash and Uber Eats..the space is rather small but it is lively and was a full house when I visited. The staff that took my order was really helpful and welcoming which i appreciate on a first visit because I love a nice knowledgeable person. When I got home I was surprised of the small portions but excited to dig in. The karaage was juicy however needed a bit more flavor. The skewers was the star of the show! Amazing steak full of flavor and cooked to perfection. Unfortunately the onigiri was rather smaller than expected but I couldn't even enjoy because it was burnt. I was so surprised that they would even prepare, and box up a product of this low quality. After looking at other photos from their videos and social media I know this wasn't how it was supposed to be prepared or presented. Not sure if I would return especially for how much I paid at this establishment.

    Cucumber salad
    Haley T.

    The restaurant was a little hard to find because of the way the building laid out, but there's a lot of parking by Chili's or Walmart. Reservations were easy to book through Open Table, and we were seated right away. Our waiter was patient with us while my friends and I were looking at the menu. I love the yakitori style because you get to try so many different dishes and sauces. My favorite dishes were the cucumber salad, chicken meatballs, and harami beef. Definitely would recommend to get the melon soda float!

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    Torikizoku Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Torikizoku

    Are they not using binchotan to grill?

    I'm not sure but I feel not. We didn't taste it.

    Do they have child seating?

    How are their skewers compared to Torihei or Shin-Sen-Gumi?

    Affordable but Torihei and Shin Sen Gumi skewers are packing more flavor.

    Do they allow reservations?

    No. I called and was informed they can not take reservations at this location

    View All 5 Questions

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

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    Takes reservations

    I have eaten here only 3 or 4 times. The most recent was a retirement lunch for a work friend. We…read morehad a group of 11 and the handled it really well. They not only had a space that big, but it also felt private. The staff was super attentive. The food is great. I ordered a rainbow roll. All the fish was super fresh. Even though we had a large group, we all got our food at around the same time. It was a great lunch for our work pal.

    We chose Ise-Shima at the Miyako Hotel for an early birthday celebration with my parents, wife,…read morechildren, sister and nephews. It should have been an easy win. The room is beautiful. The chefs are visible. The staff is plentiful. The music is good. The atmosphere feels like the kind of place that understands hospitality. Unfortunately, the experience never quite came together. The first challenge was the temperature. The dining room felt more like a sauna than a restaurant. To his credit, our server Arthur worked hard to help and eventually got management to increase the air conditioning. He was easily the standout of the evening and did everything he could to salvage the experience. We ordered extensively, including the $130 Ise Course. Some of it was quite good. Some of it was surprisingly disappointing. The grilled lobster with yuzu miso and kinome was completely overcooked, dry and buried under too much sauce. One of the signature dishes of the course ended up being one of the weakest. The grilled yellowtail suffered from the same problem: dry, overcooked and lacking the care you would expect from a restaurant presenting a seasonal multi course menu at this price point. The larger issue was organization. Dishes constantly arrived with servers asking, "Who ordered this?" or "Who has the udon?" The dining room felt strangely disconnected from the kitchen. Food runners seemed unsure where dishes belonged, which created confusion throughout the meal. Then things really went sideways. Trying to be respectful, I asked that my parents be served first. Everyone eventually received their meals and continued eating. The problem was that my Ise Course never arrived in sequence. My family finished their meals. My children finished. My parents finished. My sister finished. And on my birthday, I sat there alone waiting for several missing courses while everyone else watched. A seasonal set menu is supposed to feel paced and intentional. Instead, it felt forgotten. Arthur again stepped in and spoke with management. The restaurant offered complimentary desserts, which was appreciated, although somewhat awkward because my meal was still arriving while everyone else was already moving on to dessert. What happened next genuinely surprised me. When the bill arrived, management returned and asked whether we would be willing to authorize an additional charge so gratuity could be increased from 18% to 20% because of the size of the party. After the heat, the delays, the confusion, the overcooked centerpiece dishes, the missed pacing and spending a birthday meal eating alone after everyone else had finished, it felt like the wrong conversation to be having. I don't enjoy writing reviews like this because there is clearly talent in the building and Arthur deserves recognition for how hard he worked. But hospitality is ultimately about making people feel cared for. On this visit, despite a beautiful room and some good food, that never happened.

    Photos
    New remodeled!
    New remodeled!
    Black sesame rice cake
    Black sesame rice cake
    Open kitchen

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    Open kitchen
    Ichimi Ann

    Ichimi Ann

    4.3
    (762 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This has to be one of my favorite soba spots in the area and I love the homey vibe to it all! You…read moreorder the counter and grab a seat anywhere. Once your food is ready, they'll bring it out to you. Water, tea, and utensils are self serve by the front door. After you're done, just bus your own table really quick and leave the tray at the return station by the register. My go to is usually the ten zaru because I love their cold soba! My friends like their yuzu broth sobas as well! Noodles have a great texture and I never leave feeling heavy. Great spot for a quick, easy, and fresh lunch! Better to eat this one there than take out! Got take out here for the first time today and the tempura sauce lid wasn't on right, so all our tempura got soaked. :(

    The exterior does a hell of a sales job. Tucked into Old Torrance, Ichimiann looks like the kind of…read moreplace you hope has been doing one thing correctly for decades. Handmade noodles. Old wood. No unnecessary theater. I walked in expecting the sort of modest Japanese restaurant that makes you wonder why anyone bothers opening anything new. Then you get inside. There is old in the charming sense, where every worn surface feels earned. And then there is old in the neglected sense, where the room feels dim, tired and coated in the residue of a thousand lunches. Ichimiann lands much closer to the second. The cafeteria style ordering, self serve tea and tray return could have been part of its appeal, but the space has no real rhythm to it. You order, drift toward the back and eventually find yourself eating in a room that feels more institutional than intimate. The staff was pleasant and efficient. No complaint there. The soba itself was also good, properly textured, clean tasting and clearly better than the lifeless supermarket versions most people know. The problem is that "good soba" is carrying nearly the entire restaurant on its back. The portions are remarkably small for the price and every addition begins to feel like another minor financial penalty. By the time the tray reaches the table, you are looking at a modest serving of noodles in a tired room and wondering how the bill became so ambitious. Handmade or not, there was nothing on the plate that felt difficult enough, generous enough or memorable enough to justify it. That is the disappointment. Ichimiann presents itself like a surviving piece of old Torrance, but tradition alone is not hospitality and age alone is not character. The noodles are respectable. Nearly everything surrounding them needs considerably more care. I wanted to discover a neighborhood institution. What I found was an expensive bowl of decent soba in a restaurant that seems to believe its history is doing more work than it actually is.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Unagi Soba
    Unagi Soba
    Niku Soba

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    Niku Soba

    Torikizoku - japanese - Updated July 2026

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