Torimatsu Japanese Restaurant

This yakitori restaurant is affordable, delicious, and has a great atmosphere. The vibe truly feels like a classic, old-school yakitori place in Japan, making it a very comfortable and enjoyable place to spend time. I would definitely come back again.

Torimatsu in Gardena is hands down the best authentic yakitori restaurant in LA. Everything tastes just like Japan — perfectly grilled skewers, amazing flavors, and top-quality ingredients. You can really feel the craftsmanship and authenticity in every bite. If you’re looking for real Japanese yakitori, this is the place. Absolutely worth coming back again and again!

It’s a busy place that you have to make a reservation in advance. We went on a Friday night and would like to add one extra person but it was fully booked so we had to seat in a smaller table with 5 people. It was a 2 hour limit dinner but the service speed is a bit slow. When we were ready to check out, it took a long time for the bill… like 15 mins so we had to ask to expedite. There were two waitresses and the younger one had no smile from the beginning to the end and the other waitress was warm and helpful. The food is about average and it’s a good place for friends gathering.

After so many years, I still can’t find any other Yakitori places better than this place. That is it. The restaurant is small. I suggest making a reservation. Walk-in can be difficult.

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw a poster on the wall explaining what is binchotan. Torimatsu is one of the top, if not the best authentic yakitori joints I have eaten at in LA/OC. I enjoy making yakitori at home (with binchotan in a japanese grill, skewering and deconstructing chicken to the best of my abilities), but will definitely be returning to enjoy the skewers that were thoughtfully prepared and grilled by the yakitori master. The restaurant has very limited seating, so would highly recommend making a reservation for parties more than 2. I came a little after opening on Saturday, and luckily was squeezed in after 15ish minutes. The place was at its max capacity after two additional (I presume reserved) parties showed up between 6-7pm. With regards to the food, I can't stress the attention to detail given to each skewer. Every skewer was cooked in a way to highlight the innate flavor and texture, so you appreciate every part of the chicken. The tare (sauce) was light, and I was often surprised at how juicy some skewers were (given my personal experience cooking them at home). The meat was threaded on the skewer to allow optimal grilling efficiency, bones were strategically removed to allow easier eating, small pieces of fat hidden within the skewer to make it more juicy, small green onions tucked inside tofu skin to change the flavors, etc. Highlights of the meal: - Tsukune (meatballs): so juicy and was not sauce heavy - Gizzard skin in soy sauce: this was a pleasant appetizer and tasted like braised tofu. Always thought this was a byproduct when making gizzard skewers. - Gizzard: cooked perfectly - Liver: so creamy - Cartilage: so juicy, idk how he did it - Heart: loved how packed and juicy it came out - Duck: first skewer I ate, but my second clue that the chef knew his stuff. Piece of fat was wedged between the pepper and green onion so that they soak up the oils - Chicken wrapped in tofu skin: first time seeing this anywhere. There were hidden green onions inside the tofu skin that gave the skewer a refreshing taste. - Bell pepper stuffed with chicken: another one of those "how is this so juicy" skewers. - Chicken tail: like a mix between the cartilage and skin skewer. Recommend getting this. We got the Torimatsu course (10 skewers, soup, salad, ice cream) which is essentially the omakase, and added on a la carte skewers and a couple appetizers. For first timers, I think the Torimatsu course is perfect and leaves enough room to experiment with more adventurous skewers. We ended up eating 15 skewers each + splitting the raw chicken and gizzard skin apps, which left us both completely satisfied. If you're a fan of yakitori and miss eating yakitori in Japan, definitely check this place out. Looking forward to my next visit!

This place was a low key delight Mu Junmai Daijinjo Sake - 4/5 was good cold and was a great drink to start out with Sasami Ponzu (Rare Chicken Breast with Ponzu Sauce) - 6/5 this was sooooo freaking good. Never would I have thought that I would be able to eat rare chicken in the US. It was so good, can't really describe other than a better and thinner sashimi, but I will get his again every time Torimatsu Course - 3.75/5 don't rember all the items I got, but for the 10 yakitori course, everything was balanced and went well with beer. I got chicken liver, which I'm not a fan of, but that just personal preference. Scallion Salad - 5/5 it's literally just thinly sliced scallions and ponzu sauce, but got some reason it's sooo good. The scallion tasted great, oniony and with the sauce so good. Chicken Hatsu Yakitori - 5/5 chicken heart is my personal favorite. I have yet to find one not good so take this one with a grain of salt. It was chewy, salty, and meaty. Okra - 3.5/5 I'm a fan of okra, could have used some more charr in my option but the piece of okra was big. Potato - 4.25/5 holy crud this was good. Look I'm not a huge fan of just a potato, but it came with butter and was perfectly cooked. Not a 5 for me just because I'm not looking for a great potato when I come to yakitori. I just come for chicken.

Amazing yakitori restaurant hidden in a strip mall. I used to work in the area and have visited this strip mall many times to eat and not once did I try Torimatsu to my eternal shame. On the recommendation of a friend we finally visited and am glad that we did. The Torimatsu course is well recommended for first time visitors and is a great value. Highlights for me are the chicken soup and tsukune (chicken meat balls). Reservation is required and I recommend calling in advance as the small restaurant fills up quick.

This was our first truly authentic yakitori experience. We sat at the bar and had the omakase menu. One of my companions ordered the 10 course and two of us ordered the 7 course. We shared items that differed from one menu to the other, so we had the opportunity to try almost everything on the yakitori part of the menu. Some favorites were the chicken stuffed mushrooms and the chicken tail (!). The soup was also excellent. The meal concluded with ice cream and green tea.