Located in the heart of Torrance, we must have passed by it a thousand times without noticing. It finally caught our eye today while we were checking out a new restaurant in the same plaza, so we decided to stop in. The restaurant, with its vibe of a traditional izakaya, is quite cozy with seating for 30 guests max in the front section, plus a small room in the back. Since it was before noon, we got seated without waiting, and the friendly staff brough water and menus right away. The menu was quite extensive, ranging from sushi and simple udon to monkfish liver. For this visit, we ordered the following dishes (food arrived in 10 minutes): 3 Item Combo (Salmon, Teriyaki Chicken, and Tempura): The thinly battered shrimp and veggies were fluffy and crispy. The chicken pieces with light teriyaki sauce were quite tender. The perfectly seasoned salmon piece was fresh and buttery flaky. Miso soup was umami without being too salty. The steamed rice was slightly on the firm side. Grilled Beef Tongue: Every piece was perfectly grilled and buttery soft, and the carrot threads and onions went well with the meat. The portion is on the small side, so it is advised to order it with rice and soup. Overall, it was a very enjoyable meal and we are looking forward to coming back for their other dishes. Highly recommended. read more

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My Japanese friend recommended this spot for authentic Japanese food! It has a warm, casual atmosphere filled with Japanese locals! The service was quick and the establishment is also run by Japanese staff, emphasizing traditional, authentic cuisine. I ordered the curry with tonkatsu and really enjoyed it! It was a hearty portion at a reasonable price. It had a home cooked meal taste and it made me feel warm inside! I imagine it's what's typically served in households in Japan with flavors that locals reminisce about. Their custard was good too! Would recommend this place for affordable, authentic Japanese food! read more

Ojiya - Curry Rice with Tonkatsu Topping - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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I really wanted to like Ojiya, but after my second attempt, I've decided I will not be back. I ordered the bento box, and unfortunately it was nothing above average. For the price, I expected the quality and presentation to feel more special, but it was very basic. I also paid an additional $3.50 for sashimi, which did not taste or look premium enough to justify the upcharge. What bothered me most was being told there would be an additional 50-cent charge for ponzu sauce. I agreed, but what I received was barely enough to cover the bottom of my small dipping dish -- about half of a tiny thumb-sized portion. I don't mind paying extra when something feels worth it, but the small upcharges and underwhelming portions made the experience feel disappointing. This was my second attempt to like Ojiya, but unfortunately, I won't be returning. read more

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Good Japanese food, priced high, but nothing different than other Japanese restaurants. I had a sashimi bowl takeout and the fish was very fresh and the food was great. I recommend giving Ojiya a try. read more

Ojiya - Sashimi Bowl - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

This was my first time trying this location. I ordered the pork katsu set, and the pork katsu itself was excellent -- very reminiscent of what I've had in Japan. The quality was very good, it was cooked perfectly, and it was served with tasty shredded cabbage, a little mustard, and katsu sauce. I would definitely recommend the katsu. Side of rice was perfectly made and the miso soup was good. I also ordered green tea, which was just a basic teabag served in hot water -- nothing particularly special there. The dining area is small but perfectly fine, and the service was okay overall. I also ordered the fried gyoza, but when it arrived I immediately noticed what looked like freezer burn. I'm very familiar with how freezer-burned food looks, and these did not appear freshly made. For the price, I didn't think they were acceptable. I've had plenty of gyoza in Japan and at many Japanese restaurants in the U.S., and these just looked off, so I didn't even bother tasting them and sent them back. They did not seem very happy about it, but the appearance alone was enough for me. I got the California roll to go. It was okay nothing special. Not much flavor. Just a tiny bit of very ripe avocado and a teeny tiny piece of cucumber in each piece. Never seen so little before. read more

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takana fried rice is so good its like seaweed flavor and the ohster croquettes are soooo good. hire katsu also good topping very yum. this place is so good torrance hidden gem. good interior design very nice vibe and good service. read more

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This place is well-known and highly respected among Torrance's Japanese community for serving up quality sashimi bowls. Their udon carbonara also gets a lot of praise and it's a consistent star item on the regular menu. I recently tried their vegetable croquette; the texture is absolutely perfect. A crispy, crunchy, camera-perfect exterior with a pillowy soft filling on the inside. An unsung hero of their menu is the seared salmon belly nigiri. I can see myself getting more than one order of this item next time I'm around. A few other items I saw and hope to try in the future are: - Oyster OR Scallop/Clam Croquette - Beef Tataki - Tako Wasabi - Takoyaki - Onion or Salmon Skin Salad Service is quick and prompt for the dine-in experience. The staff checks in regularly, refills your water proactively, but they're not excessive nor overly eager which I appreciate. The restaurant itself is a small hole in the wall, but in my experience those are the kind of places with the best bites of food. read more

Ojiya - Close-up Udon Carbonara, delicious! - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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My neighborhood Japanese food staple. Located in a long strip mall next to Koryu ramen and near the Hula Hula room bar, there's lots of parking. They offer a diverse menu with all kinds of Japanese food from sushi, ramen, curry to izakaya items. Everything is so good. They also have a kids option that comes in the most adorable soccer ball - love this place!! read more

Ojiya - Kids meal in a soccer ball - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Ojiya is located in a shared plaza with other businesses so parking isn't a problem. We came at noon on a Saturday and got seated right now. It's a smaller restaurant but comfy and cozy. Service is friendly and staff were attentive. My friend frequents this restaurant and said that there's usually a line if you come in the evening. Be mindful that they do take a break in the late afternoon so avoid those hours. I ordered the Tenzaru Soba noodles with tempura and it was such a delight on a warm day. The noodles were cooked to perfection and tempura was so light and flaky. My friend ordered a bento box with nigiri and loved her meal as well. Prices were reasonable and portions were filling. I'll definitely be back if I'm ever in the area again. read more

Ojiya - Tenzaru Soba - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Small hole in the wall Japanese restaurant. Many varieties of dishes reasonably priced. Portions were big too. I would go back for easy comfort lunch or dinner. Last time I was there tho, group of young adults were there eating and drinking socializing but they were so obnoxiously loud couldnt enjoy my dinner at all.I wish they would have just ask them to keep it down a little politely. read more

I came here for dinner with my fiancé & friends and was so impressed!! Their menu has plenty of options. Everything sounded amazing. I ended up getting the 3 item combination box, which comes with miso soup, rice, pickles & salad. I really liked their salad dressing. For the items, I chose the tempura, grilled mackerel and the spicy tuna. It was delicious!! The tempura batter was perfect and crispy. I enjoyed their tempura sauce. Portions were generous. The tempura included veggies (peppers, shiitake mushroom and Japanese pumpkin) & a shrimp. The grilled mackerel came in a sauce that was tasty. The spicy tuna was also good. Service was also great as well. Can't wait to come back!! read more

Ojiya - Combination box - saba, tempura & spicy tuna - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Ojiya is a Japanese Izakaya Dining restaurant tucked in the heart of Torrance. My party and I went on a Saturday night and although the restaurant itself was busy, the 6 of us were able to be seated within 5 minutes. The restaurant is small, but very welcoming and feels comfortable; definitely fits the Japanese tavern theme. The employees were all nice and greeted us as we entered and thanked us as we left. Our waitress was super polite, professional, energetic, and efficient. My party and I were all asked what we would like to drink within about 5 mins of sitting down. I ordered the California Roll and Baked Lobster Roll. Our orders took about 10 minutes to be made and my bake lobster roll took a little longer, but I didn't mind. The California Roll was what you would expect when ordering a Cali roll. The rice was cooked perfectly and everything tasted fresh. The soy sauce they offer is good too and pairs nicely with the sushi. The wasabi didn't taste fresh or not at least homemade, but it still did its job. The ginger was refreshing and wasn't too potent. The Baked Lobster Roll was an eye catcher and definitely worth the wait. Be careful as the roll itself is hot to the touch. After letting it cool down a bit, I couldn't stop eating it. The lobster was tender and fresh. The rice was cooked perfectly and everything else wrapped the entire roll together very nicely. Not one ingredient overpowered one another and the roll had a nice creamy texture as you chew. This is definitely a dish that is addicting and will make you come back for more. Overall, I was satisfied and my party was as well with their dishes. Every plate joined the clean plate club. Only downside is the price, but I'd say it's worth it with the quality and service they provide. Definitely will be coming back. To my knowledge, no military or first responder discount offered. read more

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I almost don't want to write a review and keep this place a secret, because this place is sooo good! Everything I've tried so far is spectacular. VERY TRADITIONAL Japanese cuisine. AMBIANCE Small cozy Japanese restaurant with many local regulars. They close between lunch and dinner. Service is always great. FOOD It really depends on what kind of food you like. My fav appetizer is the Tako Waso. It's raw octopus in strong wasabi seasoning - great accompaniment with beer but def an acquired taste. BEEF TATAKI Very generous servings of rare beef with raw onions and sauce. It's also served with rice and miso soup. EEL BOWL Very generous servings of eel over rice! OMU-RICE Chicken rice with fluffy egg on top. The server recommended the creamy oyster croquette, soo good. Gently fried outer layer with "clam chowder" inside. The only thing I wasn't too impressed with was the Porridge, but probably my fault for comparing it to thick flavorful Chinese jook. This Porridge was pretty watery. I will and have been coming back many times. Everything is delicious, it really depends on what you're in the mood for. Very traditional Japanese cuisine. read more

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Get the takana fried rice!! The fluffy egg on top is so delicious as well. I added the tonkatsu and it was so yummy, tho I prefer the chicken katsu since it's more tender. Also comes with a side of miso soup. Also ordered the beef gyukatsu that was on the special menu and it was 10/10! It seems to get busier later on in the evening here and it's a pretty small restaurant. They have bar seating and take reservations! read more

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We went to Ojiya around 8pm on a Wednesday. It's especially nice given how many spots in Torrance close early - Ojiya stays open until 10pm with last call around 9:30, which makes it an easy option for a later dinner and drinks. We started with the kaki fry (fried oysters), which was excellent - crisp, hot, and tempting enough that I was about to order another one when the karaage (Japanese fried chicken) came out, followed by the salmon & ikura don - salmon topped with salmon roe - served with miso soup. We also had a couple beers, and everything was hitting the spot. The salmon & ikura don really stood out. If you like salmon, this is a must-order - clean, rich, and very satisfying, with the ikura adding that salty pop that pulls everything together. The karaage was also well done: hot, juicy, tender, and balanced in flavor without being heavy. The space leans traditional Japanese - the front area was fairly loud and crowded, but they do have a back room with additional seating that felt a bit calmer. Service was straightforward and efficient. Overall, this is a solid spot for Japanese food and beers, especially later in the evening when options are more limited. The food alone would bring me back. read more

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The beef tataki is sweet and refreshing, I would get this again. I ordered a side of rice to balance out the flavor. Udon carbonara is light -- it's not heavy as other carbonara dishes. I added spice because it felt like it was missing that. The servers are nice, and the bar seating is great for talking. read more

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I had a fair time at this restaurant. On the plus side it was packed and one had to be a contortionist to get to a table. On the negative side the sushi was only fair. It's definitely not my go-to place in the future for sushi. Just to be fair I might give them another chance. But first impressions are lingering. The place is very popular given the large crowd mid week at 7:30 pm. So maybe it's anomaly for me and next time I'll be thrilled. So I'll go back sometime in the near future and try again. I was with a group of 8 persons. I tried the Tuna roll and the California roll. To me they were presented poorly and tasted (to me) stale. It's not high class business and generally basic plates and so-so emotionless service. I got the feeling the waitress could care less that we were patronizing the business. Of course maybe she was just having a bad day. Again, these little things can be irritating and not feeling appreciated is a really big negative. More on the plus side was lots of parking just outside the restaurant. read more

My daughter asked me if I wanted anything for lunch so I ordered a 2 item bento box with karaage and tonkatsu to go. When she brought it home, I was underwhelmed by size of the bento based on its price. The chicken karaage was moist and flavorful but the pork cutlets were puny and dry. Probably the worst tonkatsu I've had in quite a while. The miso soup was pretty good but the rice was rather stiff and disappointing. This definitely would not be high on my list for a repeat order. read more

Ojiya - I was not impressed. The tonkatsu was dry and unappetizing. Rice was stiff too. - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Came with coworkers during lunch & we were seated quickly. Service was fast as well, and everyone's food came out at a reasonable time. I had the udon soup which was yummy and had a great texture. Everyone had different menu items and were happy with their selections. They all looked very yummy and flavorful. Usually its a hit or miss when places have such an extensive menu, but it seems like its a hit here. Parking available and shared with the other businesses next door. read more

Great Japanese place found in Torrance. Attentive staff and delicious food in this small restaurant. Started off with oyster cream croquette fried well, filled with clams and a creamy sauce. The agedashi tofu had a slight crisp, soft tofu, and flavorful soy sauce. Sashimi pieces were thick and tasted fresh. The takana fried rice with pork tenderloin cutlet has a very fluffy egg on it. Pork cutlet was tender and has a crisp. Ended with a uji green tea cheese cake and has a strong tea flavor. Friendly staff here and explained the different pork cuts. Would come back again. read more

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The service was extremely rude and disappointing. I would not recommend this place. 1. When I asked for a salad, the server yelled at me, saying, "The salad and miso soup only come with the omurice!" However, I noticed that other tables were served salad even though they did not order omurice. 2. There was an empty table marked "reserved," but no one came to use it until the restaurant closed for a break at 2 PM. It felt like they intentionally made us sit at the small bar table instead. read more

Super yummyyy the ambience is super cute and homey and its always a vibe here. Food is amazing order the katsu curry and udon carbonara

We came on a Saturday around 6:30pm and sat at the counter. Udon carbonara was rich, creamy, and very delicious. This is a great dish to order and share since it's so creamy. The dragon roll was very good. Eel and avocado on top a California roll. Omurice was very flavorful. I wish there was more sauce served to balance the tonkatsu on top. Coffee jelly was pretty good. It paired well with the whipped cream on top. Would be even better with some ice cream. Yuzu sorbet was very light and a great palette cleanser. I love the many options they have on the menu from sushi to ramen, soba, tempura, unagi rice, and Japanese Italian fusion. There's plenty of parking in this plaza. read more

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Came here with a few friends on a Thursday night. Plenty of parking. Got in at 6pm, right before the dinner rush. Inside is kind of small but has a bar and a couple of booths as well as tables in the middle. I ordered the udon carbonara, which was one of the recommended dishes. It was delicious. Portions are on the smaller side but each bite was savored. We shared a tofu dish and a spider roll, both of which were also pretty good. Overall, would definitely come back read more

Ojiya - Udon carbonara - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

We found this place last minute and ended up loving it! We were going to go to a soba store in the store in the same plaza but since it was too crowded we decided to go here. Ojiya is a Japanese restaurant with typical diner and Izakaya food style. The interior is small with few table and bar seatings. For food we got the takana fried rice, ume Q, nasu age 2, and aburi shime Saba. takana fried rice (10/10)- heavy but the crispy tonkatsu complemented with the fried rice, the takana gave it a deep flavor. Ume Q-(7/10)-pretty typical Japanese style cucumber wish it had more ume flavor. Nasu Age (9/10)-so flavorful and eggplant it very tender! Aburi shime Saba (8/10)-not the best I've had but they give a good portion for the price. We also got the matcha Mont Blanc which was not overly rich, had good matcha and chestnut flavor. The bill was $80, pretty affordable for the amount we ordered. Overall a solid Japanese eatery would love to try the sashimi my next visit. read more

Ojiya - Fried Eggplant in Seasoning Soup (NasuNi) - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Absolutely loved the omu rice with the tonkatsu. The rice has a great tomato flavor that pairs well with the egg on top and sauce. Tonkatsu is crispy and lightly fried. If you go here I only recommend getting this. The tempura was good too, lightly fried, I liked the squash and shrimp the best. However, udon noodles were only okay, nothing show stopping. The green tea cheesecake was really disappointing- small portion, the green tea makes the flavor worse unfortunately and made the cheesecake less smooth. Also, small thing but they served the entrees separately so my partner had to wait a while and never refilled water. I don't mind not having water refills but could use at least a small carafe at the table. The inside is small but intimate, like a small japanese bar. read more

Ojiya - Pork Cutlet with Steamed Egg on Rice (Katsu Ju) - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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The coziest and one of my favorite izakaya restaurants! Spilling tea and ojiya is the perfect combination. You must try the Takana fried rice with tonkatsu and the beef tataki! We did wait for our food for a little while due to it being a weekend, but it is worth the wait. The staff were all really friendly and made sure our waters were filled. This restaurant is a must try if you're ever in the Torrance area! read more

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One of my favorite Japanese spots. It's cheap and chill and great vibes. There is usually a wait but once you are seated, the service is fast. The katsu ju is the best in the South Bay--might I even say the best in SoCal. The zaru soba and omurice are also some of my favorite dishes to order--the soba is light and the omurice is comforting. Highly recommend for any occasion :) read more

I love their food. The place is not so big also close to other tables. I strongly recommend to have a reservation. One thing I disappointed was even we went to early dinner, some of their recommendation were already sold out. Plenty of parking. read more

Ojiya - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

Good. I'm not saying great. But good. We were looking for a sushi restaurant and their sushi menu is not extensive. If you're in the mood for only sushi, I'd probably go somewhere else. Udon was good. Service was good. Prices were really high for what you get. Nice ambiance but small. I'm not sure I would be back because it didn't check enough boxes for me. read more

This is a small business but the fact that it was crowded was a good sign. My coworker and I came here for dinner and was quickly seated. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Definitely a good place. read more

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I recently had a very disappointing experience at this Japanese restaurant. First of all, I was charged extra for sriracha sauce -- which honestly blew my mind. When the server told me it would be an extra 50 cents, I said okay, no problem. But when the sauce arrived, it was literally half of a tiny dipping plate. At that point, I felt taken advantage of and honestly a little disrespected. I asked for lemons three times before they finally brought them out, and even then it was only after reminding them again. When I told the server that the sauce they charged me for wasn't even filled properly, I made it clear I didn't mind paying -- but if I'm paying, at least fill it up. She said, "That's the portion size," even though the other sauce they brought with my meal was noticeably fuller -- and I pointed that out too. Again, I wasn't asking for anything crazy, just fairness. After that awkward moment, things just got worse. My miso soup arrived without spoons. I asked again for lemons and a spoon, but the lemons never came. I noticed the server delivering alcohol to the table behind me while avoiding eye contact. What really got me upset was seeing her check in on every table around me -- to my right, my left, and behind me -- asking if they were okay, but completely skipping over me even though it was obvious I was still waiting. It felt very intentional and petty. When I finally got the bill, I noticed I was charged for three sauces, even though I had said I was only willing to pay for two after the half-filled issue. When I brought it up to the waitress, she said she would talk to the owner -- but the joke was on me because the "owner" was the same server who had been giving me attitude the whole time. That sucked to realize, because I'm sure I'm not the only one she's treated like that for no reason. I honestly hope she changes her ways, because sooner or later, how you treat people catches up to you. As for the food, it wasn't good enough to justify any of this. The chicken teriyaki had some flavor, but the meat was chewy and fatty -- they didn't even bother trimming the fat, which made it hard to enjoy. In the end, even though my bill was $84.56, I only left a $5 tip -- and honestly, that was being generous considering the service I received. If the attitude had been better, I would have tipped more. Between being nickel-and-dimed over sauce, forgotten items (lemons, spoons,), rude service, and mediocre food, I will definitely not be coming back. This place is not worth your money or your headache. read more

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Udon carbonara was scrumptious! 10/10 would get again 8 tables + bar seating - so coming on a weekend mean a slight wait/ line - but when we came on Father's Day at 8pm there was less than 5 min wait as the previous wave was emptying out Parking: Shares a large lot with other businesses in the strip mall read more

Ojiya - Specials & new menu - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

We've been looking for a place with omurice and this was a the one that came up somewhat close to where we were on a Saturday afternoon. We don't live in the area but whenever we are in a different place we always go on Yelp to see options. Arrived before 6pm so it was a bit packed but they sat me and my son right away by the bar which we didn't mind. Place is small just a few tables and probably around 5-6 chairs by the bar. I ordered the classic omurice with no topping and my son ordered one with croquettes. I also got some grilled squid. I wish I saw the Zaru soba but I might've missed it. For omu rice it is just what we're looking for - loved the gravy egg and rice. Squid was not chewy so it was cooked just right. Only down side was it took longer time for service, they are very busy but if you're in a rush might not be a good place unless you come in a less busy time. Will definitely come back when I'm in the area again. read more

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My wife's favorite go to restaurant. Everything from the sashimi to the grilled items are all really delicious. The Beef Tongue is one of my favorites, along with the Sashimi Platter ( forgot to take a picture of this ), and the Udon Carbonara. They take reservations, but you can also walk in and add yourself to the queue. I would suggest going early at opening ( I believe they open at 5pm most days) as it gets pretty packed. read more

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This is my new favorite Japanese restaurant. They have just a few tables and a counter, so it's always busy. I recommend calling to make a reservation for dinner on weekends. The food is delicious. We tried a few appetizers, and the sashimi was fresh. Can't wait to come back soon. read more

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Our favorite date night spot. Been here 3+ times so far and everything is always so delicious and service is great. The udon carbonara is my favorite and my partner enjoys the raw oysters (sells out near end of the night). They have bar, booths, tables, and even a space in the back. Wait was a little long one time but you can make a same day reservation! Parking available as well. read more

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We arrived at Ojiya after several places we intended to go (closer to us) were closed by 8:30pm on a Friday. But, it was meant to be, because we knew one of the servers as soon as we walked in. Great Japanese "comfort food" and a little of everything...noodles, bento boxes, sashimi. It is a small space, so with many people it was LOUD, but we were tucked in a booth, and it worked out. Nice servers and quick. Would go again. read more

Ojiya - Exterior - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Ojiya is an old-school izakaya restaurant that has been around for over 20 years. I'd been meaning to try it for some time, so I found the opportunity to head over for lunch. It wasn't too busy when I arrived around 12:30pm, and I was promptly seated at the bar (party of one). I'd heard that Ojiya served uni carbonara, which I was interested in trying. However, I asked the server, and unfortunately, they didn't offer it. I was disappointed, but all the same, I went for the zaru soba with tempura combo ($17). It also came with complementary inari, which was a lovely touch; it was also served nice and warm, which was delicious! The zaru soba was light and refreshing, and the tempura (eggplant, shishito pepper, mushroom, shrimp, and squash) were tasty, albeit a tad too greasy. Service was super kind; they were very apologetic about not having uni carbonara, which was understandable, but I appreciated it all the same. Ojiya is still a solid place for all your usual Japanese fixings-- sushi, tempura, soba, ramen-- but made well in a small and intimate setting. Worth a go! read more

Ojiya - Complementary inari - Japanese Near Me - Torrance, California

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Nice local joint with amazing service. Food was pretty standard I could get at other Japanese spots. Still enjoyed it and would go back. read more

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