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    Akane Chaya

    4.3 (339 reviews)
    ModerateJapanese
    Open • 11:30 am - 3:15 pm, 5:15 PM - 9:15 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Akane Chaya Photos

    Business Info

    AKANE CHAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Akane Chaya

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    Curry beef
    Barbara A.

    Food is great here. Very fresh, Service is good . Atmosphere is pleasant not too loud. You can visit without yelling. Bathroom is clean. I would recommend this restaurant . Japanese hamburger is a softer texture . Little on the pricey side.

    Interior view
    Miguel C.

    This spot is proudly serving the kind of hearty fusion dishes that make you feel in a good way. I went with Combination D, and let me tell you, this plate showed up like it had something to prove. * Pork Cutlet with Akane Japanese Sauce Crispy, golden, and wearing that tangy‑savory sauce like a designer jacket. Every bite had that perfect crunch followed by a "oh wow, that's tender" moment. * let's talk about the Asian Kinoko Cream Spaghetti, it was a full‑on mushroom party, mixed mushrooms, chopped clams, and a cream sauce so smooth it could probably talk its way out of a parking ticket. The noodles were perfectly coated, rich without being heavy, and honestly... dangerously comforting. It's the kind of pasta that whispers, "You don't need to share me." "Together, the combo felt like Japan and Italy high‑fiving over my plate." The staff here is friendly, quick, and genuinely warm. They move with that calm confidence that says, "We've been doing this a long time, relax, we got you." They checked in just enough, kept things flowing, and made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. This place has that cozy, lived‑in charm, warm lighting, a lively buzz, and the kind of atmosphere where you immediately feel comfortable. It's casual, inviting, and perfect for when you want a hearty meal without the fuss. This spot has the Japanese‑Italian fusion lane with comfort, flavor, and personality. The food hits, the service is kind, and the vibe makes you want to linger. If you're craving crispy cutlets, creamy pasta, and a cozy spot that feels like a G-Town neighborhood favorite, this place delivers. "One bite at a time!" Miguel C.

    Tanya W.

    This restaurant has a mom and pop vibe and serves the coziest Japanese Western-style set meals! The service is relaxed and it's clear that they have many regulars. This adds to the homey and laidback atmosphere of the restaurant. Personally, I'm a big fan of their salad x pasta x hamburg steak combo plates. You can choose the pasta sauce from the set menus, I personally like the clam and mushroom cream sauce best. The hamburger steak is served with a delicious demi glace sauce. And all orders come with a basket of bread and oil/balsamic vinegar dip.

    Asari kinoko pasta with soy-based sauce and shiso, also finely shredded nori.
    Elle V.

    We "discovered" Akane Chaya for dinner a few months ago and came back a second time (can't believe we'd gone past this place all these years). The first time, I had the Asari (clam) kinoko (mushroom) pasta with soy-based sauce and shiso. This time, I had the Asari Tomato sauce pasta and added the recommended $1.80 shiso topping. Both pastas were excellent. I love the bright and herby taste of shiso - it complements the sauce of both dishes, and the clams in both were flavorful with no grit. The pastas come with crisp salad topped with a delicious citrus dressing, and a warm Akane roll that is a bit on the hearty side and perfect for sopping up the dish of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or any leftover pasta sauce. We enjoyed the jazz music in the background, settling us as we stepped out of the chaos of Redondo Beach Blvd. Lots of parking in the Pacific Square plaza. There was no (or a minimal) wait at dinner time both times. The lighting is subdued and the staff, while incredibly busy, remained calm and friendly as he circulated among the tables. You can hear the conversation at your table. Even the forks were intentional, with a scalloped edge for twirling the noodles. They have other things besides their extensive pasta menu so I look forward to trying those, too.

    Ice cold Sapporo beer
    David T.

    Arrived at about 1:40 PM on a Saturday and we were seated promptly. The restaurant was nice and cool on this hot day. After about a 5 minute wait, our server came and took our order. We started with a tall Sapporo beer which was very refreshing on this hot day. My wife ordered the Akane hamburger steak with bread. I ordered the B combination plate which has the hamburger strak and spaghetti with clams. The Chowder was hot and tasty. We weren't blown away with the hamburger steak. But the soup, salad bread and clam spaghetti were delicious. I had to drop a star because of the hamburger steak missed the mark for our taste buds

    Tim H.

    WHY AKANE CHAYA? - Ever since 1991 a staple in Gardena - Budget friendly pricing and portions - Craving Japanese-Italian besides Spoon House FOOD 4/5 Hamburger Steak & Pork Cutlet with Demi-Glace Sauce 4/5 - h.steak was soft and went well with the sauce - cutlet wasn't fatty Shrimp Spicy Tomato Sauce - Sauce isn't as thick as Spoon House, so it depends on what you like better SERVICE 4/5 Both staff members were extremely kind and friendly. No issues PARKING 5/5 Pacific Square Shopping Center has tons of ample parking

    combo d
    Flora A.

    One of my friends has been coming here since they were little and has been recommending it forever. I had been once a couple years ago, but was happy to come back with family! It was pretty busy on a Sunday evening, but after about a 5-minute wait for a table to be cleaned, we were seated. The space had a lively, casual vibe -- definitely a popular spot for dinner. I love seafood, but I also really wanted to try the katsu, so even though I'm not a big eater, I went with Combo D... which was huge. Honestly, I think it could easily feed two people. The side soup and bread came out almost immediately. The soup was simple but nice with a bit of pepper, and the bread was so good -- warm, soft, and buttery (I had to pace myself knowing what was coming). The pasta was delicious -- the clams weren't overly "clammy" (lol), and the cream sauce was light and not too heavy. The katsu was crispy and satisfying, and the salad added a nice, refreshing balance. Everything worked really well together. I ended up taking a good portion home, and even reheated, it was still just as good! Overall, a great spot with generous portions and solid food. I'd definitely come back and would recommend it to others!

    Jynelle Christine S.

    I haven't really tried Japanese yoshoku style food before but I'm really glad I tried it for the first time here :) This restaurant is located in a big shopping mall with a Tokyo central and various coffee shops near it so there's tons of parking everywhere. They have lots of seating inside and it's not too loud inside - it's very chill with some light music playing. As for the service, they were so nice! There was never a time we were waiting for water or utensils-anything really. They were so attentive and prompt! As for the food we got the combo B which is the seafood pasta with the hamburg steak and combo A with the meat sauce. Each came with a soup and choice of bread or rice. Opted for the bread which was nice and fluffy when it came, definitely didn't taste like old stale bread. The soup was light which was nice since the main dish was going to be heavy. The mains came in extremely large portions and were so delicious! Idk how they get the hamburg so tender but it was just cooked perfectly. All of that food was about $80 with tax and tip! Great value for the amount of food we got! Definitely recommend trying this place when you want Japanese-western style food

    Salad and Bread roll
    Alexandra B.

    I had never been here before but was excited to have this experience! I came with a large group so we waited about a half an hour for our table which was not a bad wait time at all. We were eventually seated inside, where it was cozy and clean, and given the extensive menus, I wasn't sure what exactly I wanted to eat because there were so many options. Originally I wanted to order something with pork cutlet, but when I tried ordering they told me they were sold out for the day, which was unfortunate. It was Saturday night, so maybe they had been really busy all day or all weekend. I decided to go in the opposite direction and order the carbonara which my waiter told me was really delicious. It came with a bread roll and salad as well. The sauce was creamy and rich and delicious, and it definitely hit the spot after a long day. I definitely want to come back again and maybe try the pork cutlet curry next time!

    A sample of the menu 11/2025
    Shin C.

    It's in the same location as Tokyo Central & Main so there is ample parking. Their menu is relatively extensive and there's something for everyone. It reminds me of Saizeriya in Japan. We ordered Set A, Akane Specialty hamburger steak and tonkatsu, and vegetarian Spinach Garlic Tomato Basil. The sides came out first and it was hot. The bread was warm and fresh, the salad crisp, and the dressing delicious. The dressing is a house dressing and very tasty. Set A was a hefty dish and my friend could barely finish it. The meat sauce tasted like it was house made and was good. My special was cooked right with neither the hamburger steak nor the tonkatsu overly done or dry. It was very good and I was given extra demi-glace sauce when I ran out. My special also came with rice, which helped with the heavy taste. My friends Spinach Garlic Tomato Basil was standard fare but it came out hot and the basil is fresh. Overall, they serve really good comfort food and I would recommend if you want a family style restaurant. There's an early bird special that wasn't really explained to us so there seems to be a benefit for arriving early. I wished the potato salad was served in a bigger size... It was smaller than a spoonful. Otherwise, the servers were friendly and very attentive. I would come again.

    Combo a lunch
    Mihoka F.

    Listen. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. I didn't walk into Akane Chaya -- I was spiritually transported back to 1980s Japan the moment that buttery demiglace aroma hit me. Somewhere between the sizzling hamburger steak and the mushroom asari(clam) pasta with soy sauce with shiso, my Japanese soul -- which had been quietly wilting in American food despair and being battered by the PhD process-- was welcomed with: "お帰りなさい" by ambiance alone. Everything here tastes like nostalgia, but even better than I remembered it. The pasta? buttery and the taste i can only explain as "YASAHII," a taste so kind and comforting, I feel like it healed emotional damage. The warm bread, just fresh, I can tell was kneaded with thought, and the oil and balsamic. I remember in my youth, when my siblings and I tried to emulate this with olive oil and balsamic vinegar we had at home, and dipped sliced wheat bread. Brought memories back. The vibe? Comfy af, time moved more slowly there, like I was stuck in a time warp of comfort. Light jazz in the background. Opposite of Urashima taro, I feel like I got spirited away to that one sunny, winter day, where I found myself alone in Miyako, Iwate, studying the effects of natural disasters, when I stumbled upon a house with a "kissaten" sign, I walked in, and ojisama-chef told me to sit anywhere as he stood up from the table, chatted with the regulars, and donned his chef hat. By the time I left, I was full, nostalgic, and a little teary, the decor so homey with too many cat-related things, but also, just like my grandpa's house. Just perfect. The Christmas tree, lit up in the corner, added just the right amount of "we put it up, but we've been a little too busy to take it down," which happened at my home with Hina dolls and koi nobori every year. LOL, is this my home? comfort perfection. Growing up in a small Northern California town with very few Asians and moving to Southern California, it has been one of the few times I've felt so at home. 110/10 would let Akane Chaya reawaken my identity crisis again. Every food gave me flashbacks, which brought back memories I thought I had forgotten. *if you need a mental image, I was that critic from Ratatouille, getting flashbacks as he ate the ratatouille. But small, Japanese, and female. Opposite me, a tall Korean boy with fluffy curly long hair And as I was leaving, another family patron and their young daughter (probably around 3 years old) waved goodbye and threw me a kiss. I will have to keep going back to just see her grow up.

    David G.

    It's on!!!! Bomb place in Gardena. Great staff and amazing food. 5 stars completely underrates it.

    Set C with tarako pasta and bread
    Heather H.

    Yum!! The Hamburg is so juicy and delicious. The mentaik pasta is perfect. The bread is soft and yummy. Soup is pretty good (but would've loved it more if it was corn potage) and salad is standard but a nice way to round out the meal. Didn't have a super long wait and the restaurant has quintessential Japanese, homey style vibes that's prevalent to the South Bay Area. A place I'd definitely come back to!

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    Otafuku Restaurant - Zaru Soba - Hot - @rayz

    Otafuku Restaurant

    4.2(784 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    •$$$

    There are certain foods I crave when the weather gets warm, and a really good bowl of soba is high…read moreon that list. Otafuku absolutely delivered. The Kikouchi Soba was fantastic--nutty, earthy, and wonderfully chewy with that satisfying texture you want from properly crafted soba. It had enough character to make the noodles themselves the star of the dish, rather than simply being a vehicle for the broth or toppings. You can really appreciate the craftsmanship here. And don't sleep on the sides. The tofu was excellent--delicate, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The ginkgo nuts were another standout, adding a subtle richness and texture that paired nicely with the meal. Everything felt thoughtfully made rather than like an afterthought. Service was great, and we were able to get seated immediately for Saturday lunch, which is always a win. On the pricier side for soba, but this is one of those places where you can taste where the money went. Quality ingredients, careful preparation, and craftsmanship make it worth the splurge.

    This place delivers that classic "small-but-mighty" Japanese comfort vibe, the kind of spot where…read morethe noodles do the talking and the tempura does the flexing. Interior is clean, simple, friendly service, and soba so good it could probably negotiate the challenges you probably will have finding parking. Parking? Well... let's just say alley parking builds character. Hot Seiro Soba + Tempura, The hot soba comes out steaming like it's clocked in for a full shift. The noodles have that perfect chew, not mushy, not stiff, just that "I trained in Japan for this" texture. Dip them into the broth and suddenly you're rethinking your taste buds in a good way. The tempura? Light, crisp, and not drowning in oil. It's the kind of tempura that makes you feel like you're eating responsibly... even though you're absolutely not. Cold Seiro Soba + Eel & Veggie Tempura, Cold soba is always a personality test. If you order it, you're either a purist or someone who enjoys refreshing noodles that slap. The eel adds that sweet-savory richness, and the veggie tempura brings the crunch. Together, they're basically the Japanese version of a buddy-cop duo. Chicken Skewers, Juicy, lightly charred, and simple, like the restaurant's way of saying, "We know you came for the soba, but here's a little something extra." Overall the Service was pleasant for a Sunday night, which is impressive considering half the customers were probably still recovering from weekend errands. Parking behind the building is... let's call it "intimate." You'll either fit or you won't. Western Ave is your safer backup plan. Consider it part of the Otafuku adventure, like a mini‑boss before the main quest. Miguel C.

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    Otafuku Restaurant - Bar area

    Bar area

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    Chopped Spanish Mackerel with Mix Greens

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    Spoon House Bakery & Restaurant - Bolognese

    Spoon House Bakery & Restaurant

    4.1(1.6k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    •$$

    One of my favorite Japanese/Italian pasta shops to go to in the South Bay. They have a large amount…read moreof selections for pastas. The most popular and recommended is the #34. I liked the following pastas: #34 hot garlic with seasoned mushrooms Mushroom & sea urchin/uni Japanese style clam sauce with shiitake & shimeji mushrooms Japanese cod roe with sea urchin/uni, squid & seaweed I also love their $1 salad which can't be beat in pricing. Their overall pricing for the pastas are great. The staff is very friendly and this place can get very busy during peak meal times. So when it's busy, sometimes the orders will come out a bit slower. The vibe is just casual/busy dining where if you have a seat at the bar section, you can see the chefs making the pastas or other dishes.

    This restaurant is well known for its Japanese-Italian fusion pasta. They seem to be popular with…read morefamilies and the establishment is always packed no matter what time of day! The parking lot can get full, but I've never had an issue with finding a spot. The service is fast which allows the staff to seat you quickly and get customers in and out. They provide complimentary French bread with butter with your food. I like to have veggies with my meal, but I found the salad dressing to be a bit bitter. Their entrees are made using dried pasta and they have a decently sized menu. I have tried different pasta dishes, but I think the tomato and cream bases are my favorite. When I was feeling more adventurous, I tied the mentaiko pasta which I found too fishy for my personal taste.

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    Spoon House Bakery & Restaurant - Entrance Area

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    Spoon House Bakery & Restaurant - Japanese style clam sauce with mushroom

    Japanese style clam sauce with mushroom

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    Ladybug Café - Chicken katsu

    Ladybug Café

    4.4(518 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    •$$

    Mylee, is the greatest waitress! Amazing service and great food and very low cost. Great place to…read morebring the family

    Why has no one told me about this gem??…read more As soon as you enter the restaurant, it feels like your grandparents home. I mean that as a compliment, follow my train of thought now. There is so much love, so much heart that is put into the food. Additionally, the amount of food is coma sending. I finished the food and was so ready to take a nap in the warm weather. It's literally like eating grandma's food when youre a young child. The spicy tuna came out first and we were shocked at how delicious the fish was. There wasn't a lot of rice which I appreciated and that fish had a bit of a kick. Pair that with some wasabi shoyu and you're tasting some real goodness. The spam musubi was solid with the furikake. My only gripe was that it had a bit too much rice which could have been better balanced with a thicker slice of spam. Regardless, it was solid. Now the star was the chicken combo. Boy oh boy, that Ladybug Fried Chicken was amazing. The batter had so much flavor and added to the juicy chicken. Pair that with you salad and mac salad.. oh my.. youre tasting a slice of Heaven! Fair warning, there is some grinded celery in the mac salad, so if youre allergic then let them know. Otherwise, that aroma of celery added so much depth to the mac. I can't emphasize enough, there is so much love in the food and the servers take gooooood care of you. It was also amazing to see how much attention to detail the owners put in the restaurant. There is ladybug decor all throughout the place and hand drawn papers from customers. It was really neat to see how much love they receive from their customers.

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    Ladybug Café - Interior view

    Interior view

    Ladybug Café - Beef stew

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    Akane Chaya - japanese - Updated September 2026

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