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    Torimatsu

    4.2 (271 reviews)
    PriceyJapanese
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Torimatsu Photos

    TORIMATSU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Torimatsu

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    Rebecca C.

    Japanese izakaya place that focuses on chicken skewers. Over the food is really good, well grilled and well marinated, and service was pretty fast. All the skewer came within 10 mins after ordering. My favorite was probably the chicken meatball and buttered potatoes. But every was pretty good! The restaurant is pretty small with both tables and bar seatings, my husband and I were able to walk in without reservation on a Thursday night, but reservations are recommended as this place can get busy!

    Arthur E.

    Cozy Japanese yakitori restaurant focused on chicken. Made reservations for a Friday dinner - would def recommend making reservations as it gets very busy. Place is located in a strip mall with ample parking. Was sat immediately - ordered several different yakitori pieces, as well as some rice balls. Would also recommend ordering some chicken broth as well. Both the chicken and veggies are well prepared. You can also order chicken sashimi here! I've had it a while back before and enjoyed it - but stuck with the normal yakitori today. Service is quick - and there's a decent sake selection as well. Would def come back!

    Yaki onigiri
    Tanya W.

    A very authentic and intimate yakitori restaurant! The chef is grilling everything in the kitchen which is in the main dining room. The skewers are very generous in portions and every thing was cooked perfectly. I was surprised at how quickly all of my food arrived. All the chicken and vegetables were plump, juicy, and tender. Nothing was over cooked. The service is very prompt and friendly. I arrived 10 minutes before opening on a weekday night and I was seated immediately at opening. It quickly got busy as the hour went on. Yaki onigiri - 5/5, my favorite item on any yakitori menu. So happy to see it on theirs and I love the crunchy exterior with grilled soy sauce flavor! Stuffed Lotus - 5/5, I love lotus root and I thought it was so unique and delicious that they stuffed ground chicken in it! Chicken tail - 5/5, Chicken giblets - 5/5, I love chicken gizzards and I'm very sorry that I missed trying the hearts here! Negima - 5/5, a classic yakitori skewer! The green onions pair really well with the chicken. Fried chicken cartilage - 5/5, if you love crunchy foods this is double the crunch! Oshinko - 4/5, generous portion of pickled vegetables. While I didn't like them all, the acidity and crunch were essential to help me finish my food as I got more full towards the end. Chicken wing - 4/5, it is exactly that but butterflyed. I would go with something else next time, but it was good! Quail egg - 4/5, standard. I wish they got grilled more. Okra - 4/5, I love grilled okra and wish they let it get more charred. But it was still very delicious! Ginkgo nut - 4/5, unique skewer to try! It's a little bitter. Eggplant - 4/5, excellent roasted flavor but I wish they cooked it marinated. We had to dip it in soy sauce. I really liked the grated ginger it was served with. Mushroom - 3/5, this was fine. Personally, not the best skewer option on the menu.

    Peter H.

    TL;DR - good place for a yakitori experience, their Torimatsu course was good, and next time I'll try their chicken sashimi lol I heard this place was known for their raw chicken AFTER I left lol so maybe I'll try it next time. For this visit, I ordered the Torimatsu course which comes with 10 Yakitori skewers, salad, soup, and ice cream. Also got a few other things a la carte like their roasted egg plant and soboro-rice. Unfortunately a few of their menu options that we wanted to try were unavailable that night, like their karaage and one of their salads on their Torimatsu course. The skewers were good but didn't have that smoky aroma you'd typically expect from a yakitori restaurant. The food was otherwise tasty and we left satisfied. The service was quick (they plopped all of our skewers on two plates all at once!) and kind (our waitress gave my kid ice cream with a candle on it because it was her birthday). Overall, decent place and I'd come back!

    Susan S.

    I've heard about Torimatsu for yearrrrrs. Who hasn't heard about the legendary Japanese chicken skewer place that serves raw chicken in LA? For one reason or another, I never made it out here , and FINALLY, we were able to check it out last week. We ordered the set menu, and in my opinion, the set menu items were not the best. There wasn't a single vegetable item, and there was an item like liver, which is not for everyone. I found it hard to enjoy that. One of the items, chicken in yubu, came out not cooked well, it wasn't even hot. I don't think I would've even noticed except my husband got the same skewer that was well charred and piping hot, so I could really tell the difference. The seasoning was on the mild side, so it's good if you don't want anything too salty, but it is almost bland without additional seasoning. We also added fried cartilage and the raw chicken in ponzu dish, and it was ok. I personally passed on the raw chicken, but my husband enjoyed it. Lastly, we ordered non-alcoholic beer, and the bottle was lukewarm. When we asked the waitress about it, she just gave us a glass with ice so that we could add it to the beer. The decor is old school charm, and I love the feel of traditional neighborhood yakitori-ya. Overall, I was kinda disappointed after hearing about Torimatsu for so long. I don't think I'll be back but I'm glad we finally got to try it.

    Atsuage (Fried Tofu)
    Daniel L.

    Finally found a place in the US that offers raw chicken. Authentic Japanese restaurant from Japan that specializes in chicken dishes and skewers. Restaurant provides a very cozy environment perfect for a chill hangout or even a date. Expect a wait if you are trying your luck for walk-in seating as reservations are considered first. The staff, also, recommended to come after 7:30pm for the best chance at seating within a meaningful time. My group was seated within an hour after arriving after 7:30pm. Opted for their 10 course (Torimatsu) meal along with raw chicken (Sasami ponzu). Everything was absolutely made to perfection. The stars of the show were certainly the raw chicken, chicken wing skewer, chicken breast skewer, and chicken/green onion skewer. The raw chicken was very clean, flavorful, and tender. The skewers were just absolutely divine with the juices bursting at every bite. Will be returning for some more skewers and try their Yaki-Onigiri along with their Karaage. Definitely recommend!

    Yakitori and grill
    Diane C.

    It was my first time visiting today. The vibes of this restaurant felt like a more upscale yakitori without the yelling and like hole in the wall shin sen gumi gives. They season their food a lot lighter then the shin sen gumi fountain valley location I go often. My family particularly enjoyed the duck and the chicken skin. I also enjoyed the chicken thigh with green onions! I would also recommend the grilled onigiri I got the Bonito flake one! It was crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. I was sat in front of the glass but would be nice to reserve the seats on the side so you can get your skewers grill to plate (: The service was good they were pretty attentive and pleasant. The food also came out super fast but granted it was a Monday night and two other parties were there.

    Dillon K.

    The only izakaya that I regularly visit while im in town. The skewers are so good and plenty of other options. Their meat ball and chicken onion skewers are so addicting. I also recommend the butter potato. The cook behind the grill carries the restaraunt fs. Pricey but worth every dollar. Restaraunt is a bit small so you definitely want to make a reservation a few days in advance. They've served Ohtani before

    Menu July 2024
    Roy L.

    Torimatsu has some of the best yakitori in all of LA, and has blown up since being featured on LA Eater as an essential South Bay restaurant. I appreciate the authentic feel of the restaurant. As you go inside, the amount of seating is very limited, so don't even bother coming with a big group. It's just not possible. As you walk in, you'll be greeted by an elderly Japanese man that is manning the binchotan grill and working hard. It's very reminiscent of eating in Japan. I think the best value is probably going for the Torimatsu course meal that includes 10 yakitori pieces, a salad, soup and ice cream. We ordered a la carte because we came with a seasoned professional and he ordered all the high value skewers. Be patient because it takes a while for the food to arrive, but they are absolutely fantastic. Come early, and come with a small group.

    Bryan C.

    A superb dining experience! We all had the 10 skewer torimatsu course which included skewers such as chicken gizzards, liver and other delicacies. The chicken meat ball was one of my personal favorites of the bunch, and was snappy and delicious. Service was quick and friendly, and the ambiance is lively and abounding with character. I do wish they provided some carbohydrates with the meal given the pre-fixed meal (needed to pay), plus there was some confusion with my order, but otherwise it was a great experience.

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    Yummy skewers and great service! We walked in right when they opened and didn't have to wait.

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    Delicious food and amazing service. Would definitely recommend this place but be sure to call for reservations as it fills up quickly.

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    Torimatsu Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Torimatsu

    For the torimatsu or shinbashi course, do you get to choose which skewers or is it set?

    It's the chef's choice for the skewers but you get to choose either scallion or lettuce for the salad portion. Everything he selected was excellent!

    This place is listed today as having outdoor seating. Is it still available? If it is, is it covered or heated? How many people can sit there?…

    There is no outside seating. It's a small restaurant with maybe 7-8 tables and then bar seating.

    Do they offer an omakase option?

    There are two types of Omakase courses.

    Is there any seafood options?

    Not really. They are all chicken related dishes.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - Front

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    This is the kind of place where you sit at the bar, watch the grill masters do their thing over…read moreJapanese charcoal, and suddenly realize you've been smiling like a hungry fool for 45 minutes straight. This place offers Chill Vibes, Great Service, and Skewers Worth Writing Home About Slide into that front bar seat, and you're basically signing up for dinner and a live cooking show. The chefs work the grill with the calm confidence of people who know they're about to make your day. The service up front is quick, friendly, and laid‑back, matching the whole casual, chill atmosphere, the kind of vibe where you can unwind, sip something cold, and watch the charcoal glow like it's performing a tiny, delicious magic trick. And the skewers? Oh man. Each one hits the grill freshly made by hand every few minutes as the orders get placed, using locally sourced, quality meats that somehow tastes like it grew up doing yoga and drinking alkaline water. "lol." The texture is firm, springy, and ridiculously juicy, a perfect testament to the chefs' skill. You can literally savor each skewer as it grills over Japanese charcoal, picking up that smoky, mouth‑watering flavor that makes you rethink every other skewer you've ever had before. By the time you get to the last bite, you're already plotting your return, or wondering if it's socially acceptable to ask the chef to adopt you. In my opinion, there's something humbling about watching your skewer get grilled to perfection while your stomach is whispering, "Sir... please... I'm right here." But you wait, because greatness takes time, and Shin‑Sen‑Gumi is absolutely serving greatness. Come check it out for yourself. I just love good quality food and service! Miguel C.

    I love their lunch items! I go there at least once a week…read more The atmosphere is great!!!

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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - Crispy outside, juicy inside--true craftsmanship in every skewer. That glossy glaze and perfect char are the ultimate match for a cold beer!

    Crispy outside, juicy inside--true craftsmanship in every skewer. That glossy glaze and perfect char are the ultimate match for a cold beer!

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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena - True craftsmanship in every skewer!  Hand-grilled over charcoal to reach juicy perfection.

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    Izakaya Akatsuki

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    We came by here for a late lunch, which it wasn't too packed and busy at all. We were seated within…read morea few minutes. There seems to only be 2 waitresses in the dining area, and I feel bad cause they look like they're moving as fast as they can but in a calm manner. They were very kind! We ordered the Umami Maze Udon, a spicy version of the maze udon, and a kaarage to share. My maze udon came out first, then the spicy and kaarage shortly after. The udon is a generous portion size! The udon itself was very chewy, although, kinda subtle in flavor. It was overall pretty decent, but I had better udon from other places. I did like how it was less salty compared to many maze udon places though. I heard the spicy version was actually pretty spicy haha. The kaarage itself were also very huge pieces. Although, I wish they had more seasoning or at least had a dip bc it was lacking in flavor. It was just a big fried chicken. The one thing that was kinda bothersome was the lack of air ventilation in here. It was a pretty hot day, so the restaurant was just very warm and quite uncomfortable. It felt like there was no air everywhere. Also the tables were just soo sticky. The booths also feel like the cushions were definitely overused. The whole seating situation was not a pleasant experience. Food was okay, did not make up for the experience dining in though.

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    This is my second time here within a few months. The food is good and the beef quality is great…read more Hamburg steak is quite hard to find in the U.S., and I finally found it here. I really like their Hamburg rice! This time I came mainly for the Hamburg and also ordered their bestseller, Roast Beef Don. Wow, it really deserves to be a bestseller! The beef was very tender and somehow refreshing. The Hamburg gives a different feeling tho.... more comforting?!? I also ordered another grilled beef dish, which was very good too. (Forgot to take a photo ) My top two are definitely the Hamburg and Roast Beef Don. Both are delicious! The restaurant is small but comfortable, not too busy, the staff are nice, and there's plenty of parking.

    I've avoided reviewing Red Rock for years, which is strange because I've probably eaten enough of…read moretheir menu by now to qualify for some minor form of tenure. I remember this space before Red Rock was Red Rock. I've eaten here, ordered it delivered, worked my way through the roast beef bowls, omurice, curry, hamburger steak, shrimp, yakiniku, beef tongue, potato salad, basically enough of the menu that this isn't based on one unfortunate day. And the frustrating thing is, the food is mostly good. Sometimes very good. Red Rock has always been a slightly peculiar proposition. A mound of rice buried beneath ribbons of nearly rare roast beef with an egg on top isn't exactly an easy pitch to everyone. Neither is omurice. Soft egg over rice, surrounded by curry, perhaps topped with a hamburger steak or a couple of fried shrimp. There's a lot of softness happening. Halfway through, your mouth occasionally starts requesting a different texture. But when it works, it works. The roast beef is tender. The sauces are good. The curry has that comforting Japanese richness to it. The fried things arrive crisp when you eat them there. Their lunch meats can be excellent. Even the cooks, whom you're practically dining with given the size of the room, have always been friendly. Then everything surrounding the food begins to feel slightly absurd. This is a tiny restaurant. Tiny. There are evenings when arranging four human beings around a table seems to require the logistical planning of an amphibious landing. Somehow there can be two people working the floor and you still find yourself wondering whether anyone has noticed you exist. Over the years the service has ranged from perfectly fine to bewildering. The kitchen has rarely been my problem. It's everything between the kitchen and my chair. Then there are the portions and pricing, which seem to have been determined independently of one another. The lunch plate can arrive with genuinely good meat, some rice and a scattering of lettuce that looks less like a salad than evidence that a salad recently passed through the room. And the potato salad, I'm sorry. It's good potato salad. But whenever potato salad starts approaching the price of an actual meal, I begin inspecting it for truffles, caviar or perhaps a small Treasury bond hidden underneath. So far, nothing. Delivery is another gamble. This food wants to be eaten immediately. Roast beef sitting in a container on its journey across the South Bay loses some of the reason you ordered it in the first place. Curry thickens. Fried shrimp contemplates its mortality. Eat here if you can. And that's ultimately my problem with Red Rock. After all these years, I still like it. I still come back. There are dishes here I genuinely crave. On food alone, I could probably talk myself into four stars. But a restaurant is not merely the thing the cook puts on the plate. It's the room, the welcome, the pacing, the portions, the price and the strange little choreography required to make the whole thing feel effortless. Red Rock has the food. I'm still waiting for the rest of the restaurant to catch up.

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    Torimatsu - japanese - Updated September 2026

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