Cancel

Open app

Search

Torigoya

3.9 (321 reviews)
Closed 6:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Torigoya Photos

Business Info

TORIGOYA ATMOSPHERE

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

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Torigoya

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Tiff E.

I tried Torigoya's 10 course menu plus some additional skewers and the oyako bowl. It's not the best I've had, but it's not bad. I usually like going early, right when they open to avoid the crowds since they have limited staff, and everything can get a bit slow when it's busy. Keep in mind it's just Tomo-san grilling every skewer himself, so patience is definitely key. I prefer ordering everything at once so he can pace the yakitori. Reservations are a MUST here unless you don't mind waiting. Price-wise, it's pretty standard for LA. Used to be $35.50 for the 10 course 2 years ago, now it's $43. I've noticed more yakitori places opening up lately, so I'm excited to try those and see how they compare with Torigoya.

Brandon S.

I've been wanting to eat chicken skewers and this was the spot recommended to me. Reservation is mandatory unless you want to wait until 9pm to start eating. I ordered a bunch of skewers and a rice bowl which arrived slowly over the course of 2 hrs. Breast - super juicy and flavorful, small amount of wasabi gives it a slight kick, also goes really well adding the spice condiment Gizzard - chewy, springy and strong taste. One of the better gizzards that I've had. Nice smoked flavor with pinch of salt. Thigh - soft and juicy but lacking the chicken flavor compared to breast, also less juicy than breast but springier Skin with sauce - great smoked flavor, slight sweetness from the sauce, chewy and springy Meatball with salt - strong chicken flavor but kind of dry. Really good texture though with that dryness so not a negative aspect. Meatball with sauce - sauce gives it a sweetness and is less dry compared to the one with salt. I like this one over the salt one Soft thigh - juiciest skewer and strong chicken flavor, had a light springy texture but all I could taste was the chicken juices and chicken meat Neck - the second juiciest piece but with a light chicken taste compared to breast. Meat is springy but not as elastic as skin or gizzard. Eggplant - smoked eggplant and very soft, the way they cook it, the eggplant also retains all the water Zucchini - I liked this one more over the eggplant, also smoked flavor and super watery inside Soboro bowl - first time having grounded chicken meat with sauce and rice in a bowl like this. Light chicken taste with grainy texture + a sweet sauce on top of soft rice. Mixing the quail egg in gave a nice gooeyness. Overall, food is decent but service is atrocious. I get that they are busy but the servers pretty much ignore customers most of the time. Food is a little bit expensive for quantity and taste but there really is no other option for chicken skewers in the surrounding neighborhood. This is more of a you settle with what is available kind of spot.

Menu
Joe H.

The food was tasty with many different options to explore. Albeit the location being a bit obscure as it's on the the 2nd floor of a shopping plaza, I would still consider it accessible via stairs and an elevator. .It seems a bit crowded as they have limited business hours , so a return trip might be an order on a less busy night. The Ambiance can be casual or romantic depending upon where you are seated .The matcha beer was delicious (kirin) and i recommend getting the Habanero dipping sauce (extra $) for the assorted skewers of which there are a pretty decent variety. Solid 4 of 5 maybe improved promptness of service could change that in the future.

Seth R.

Torigoya is hands down one of the best spots in Little Tokyo if you love yakitori. The skewers are perfectly grilled with just the right amount of smokiness, and you can really taste the quality of the chicken. Every piece came out juicy, tender, and seasoned beautifully. The atmosphere is cozy and authentic, with that intimate izakaya vibe that makes you feel like you're in Japan. The staff was super friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even better. I know the service can be slow but that's how busy restaurant is. Highlights for me were the tsukune (chicken meatball) and the chicken skin both were incredible. Pairing it all with a cold drink made it perfect. In the end finish with ramen was perfect ! If you're in Japan Town and craving yakitori, this is a must-visit. Five stars all the way!

Chicken nanban
Alicia C.

I was in Japan not too long and was craving yakitori. I know it's tough to find a place here that is comparable to authentic Japanese food from Japan, but Torigoya is as close as it gets. We got the 10 skewers course (chicken breast, liver, gizzard, meatball, Chicken thigh/skin/heart/wing, 2 vegetables); chicken Nanban. For drinks we got a matcha beer which tasted like regular beer with a hint of matcha. Food was amazing but it was a busy night so had to wave down the server for everything. Maybe because we were seated at the very far end of the bar. Service can be improved since we felt invisible. They catered to regulars and Japanese customers more. Overall a good resturant but go at non-peak hours.

Jin L.

Food is very good. Service is friendly. I have been coming to this place every year when we visit Los Angeles. It's very tasty and has great service.

Tony P.

The best yakitori I've had outside of Japan by far, no contest. Always fantastic, friendly service and terrific food and ambiance that makes it worth the trip out to Little Tokyo every time. An absolute favorite spot in the entire Los Angeles area that I can't recommend enough.

わさびの鶏の胸肉はおいしかったが、一度噛むと乾燥していた。風味を増すために調味料を使うことができたが、全体的には良かった。
Kamii L.

04/19/25 It was mine and my boyfriend's first time trying out the place. One of the cooks actually recommended me this place to try out and thank you for that! It's atmosphere was amazing. The girl server that served us was polite, nice and respectful. She is great at her job and knows what she's doing. The food was good and affordable but some of them that was on the skewers could use more seasoning. The mushroom was burnt and salty...so what was going on there??? lol The cooks cooked the food good. We were about to pay but the nice server lady brought out our chicken wings super late (we totally forgot about it hahaha) but it turned out to be super crunchy and delicious.

Angela P.

Authentic Japanese izakaya experience if you sit at the counter! We bought a shochu for the chef grilling all the skewers; good vibes all around. I came around 8:30pm on a Tuesday night and there was no wait and plenty of seats available at the counter. Ordered some skewers, chicken nanban, takowasa, agedashi tofu, and asahi beers. The restaurant is located in the plaza shared by kinokuniya and marukai! There is a parking structure where you can get validated parking at marukai if you purchase an item.

Miso Cucumber, tako wasa, shishito peppers
Vivian L.

Tried a variety of items from their miso cucumber, Tako wasa, shishito peppers, marinated deep fried chicken, chicken ramen, and their 10 course skewer set + various a la carte skewers. Some of the best tasting chicken I've had in a long time. Fresh and grilled perfectly. Simple and authentic, true to Japanese taste. Many things excellent, some things adventurous and good to try once. Enjoyed a Dassai 45 to wash it all down. $60 a person for a party of 4 post tax. A good experience but LONG wait bc you're intended to keep snacking and drinking with this type of food. Try to come early or get some stuff from marukai market to hold you down. Service was ok - had to ask for water 3x lol, but they were nice. 4.5 stars

Rachel P.

Torigoya in Little Tokyo is hands-down a must-try if you're a fan of chicken skewers done right. I've been coming here since college-- it's been over 10 years now -- first with my family, and now with my boyfriend. It's one of those rare places that has stood the test of time in LA, and I truly appreciate that, especially with how quickly restaurants come and go these days. Their specialty is chicken, and every single part you can think of -- from the thigh to heart to liver -- is prepared to perfection. Always flavorful, always consistent, and always fresh. Pair it with a cold draft beer or a smooth glass of sake, and you've got the perfect meal. That combination right there? It's everything you need to end your day on the best note possible. I usually go every few months, and every time it hits the spot. Whether it's a cozy date night or a chill dinner with friends or coworkers, Torigoya delivers a warm, casual vibe with high-quality food that never disappoints. Two thumbs up from me -- forever a fan. Highly, highly recommend!

Marc A.

Torigoya is legit! We waited almost 45 minutes when there there only 3 parties ahead of us and once we finally got in, it was worth the wait. If you get the chance, sit on the counter. We were able to see all the action, sounds and smells that lends to their authenticity. We walked in and it brought me back to the last time we visited Japan. The restaurant was surrounded in wood. It looks like something you would find in a smaller city, like Fukuaoka. Don't be shocked by the prices as everyone's prices are going up. But you have to look at the intrinsic value of the whole experience. We ordered a lot of different items from the menu and not one disappointed. Although you may shake your head at two pieces of grilled eggplant for almost $4, I hope you didn't just order that. Their karaage is probably one of the best I've had in a long time. The chicken was marinated perfectly and the coating was lite and crunchy. They ran out of chicken skin skewers so we opted for the chicken skin appetizer with vinegar and it took us by surprise. The raw, white onions under the chicken did not have a strong flavor that overpowered the chicken. One by one the chef brought over the skewers and each of them had their own distinct flavor and texture. Chicken hearts, thighs, wings, meatballs...they were all delicious. If you are planning to bring a group, I would recommend reservations as it is small and the style of service and cooking isn't a quick dining experience. So take your time, soak it up because this is as close to eating in Japan as you can get. Cleanliness 9/10 Bathrooms 8/10 Ambiance 10/10 Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Value 9/10 Will I Return? Yes!

See all

29 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 2
Photo of Joe H.
26
44
98

2 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 3
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of O K.
0
22
0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ed W.
0
16
1

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Lisa F.
174
52
21

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Marc A.
320
381
2559

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Lisa C.
18
214
288

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

5 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of kris l.
0
19
17

3 months ago

Worst customer service, waited outside before it opened, and server didn't want to sit us

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 2
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Megan C.
213
23
33

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 7
Thanks 2
Love this 7
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of John P.
7
58
54

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jasper S.
88
38
24

11 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 9

Torigoya Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Torigoya

How do you make a reservation here? The website link is broken and they don't answer the phone

can make reservation over the phone, call around 6pm

Does the restaurant valid parking for the underground structure?

No. Not anymore. They use to prior to the pandemic, but no longer.

View All 6 Questions

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Japanese 121,927 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Bludso's BBQ

Bludso's BBQ

4.1(3.6k reviews)
6.3 miFairfax
$$

This is definitely one of the best BBQ spots in LA. I'm torn between this and Moo's...not sure who…read moregets the crown. Probably 1a and 1b. That aside, onto the review... Bludso's brisket is tender and marinated just right. While some briskets are too salty, Bludso's maintains a light and balanced flavor profile, which lets me enjoy the flavor of the beef. However, be warned that some leaner cuts might be a tad bit dry. The pork ribs were also great. although they weren't "fall off the bone" soft, it's still one of the best ones I've had in LA. The sides were also good. They weren't mind blowing but they were definitely comforting. Overall, Bludso's is a great BBQ spot that I would come to again and again. Definitely one of the best in LA. Note: I do have to say that if you're from Texas, you might not be "wow'd". Franklin BBQ in Austin is leagues above both Bludso's and Moo's (first time in my life having brisket melt in my mouth!!). But if you've never left LA, Bludso's will probably be the some of the best BBQ you've had in your life!

Outside, classic sh*tty LA from curb. Walking in, great…read morevibe, inviting (got a Hello from hostesses) Service was quick (it was a Wednesday day) Tap beer selection was limited for a BBQ matching. Food was quick, obviously made earlier But food was just barely warm. Pork ribs were good, a bit dry but tasty. Disappointed with brisket, ordered 1/4 lb, only got 4 bites, half of this $12 piece was pure fat, Sad that the cook would plate this. Brisket was okay, also also dry. Sauces were good, tasty but not memorable. For LA this is probably decent BBQ, would probably go back, but would not go out of my way. Would like to try hot fresh food on a weekend and see a wider beer selection. Didn't get a thank you or goodbye upon leaving. Bottom line: Pricey for the quality and portions, would have given 4 stars if food was warm and I left full, but price was over $50 for just me and I would have liked to eat the rest of the brisket. 1/4 Brisket $12 ** 1/4 Rack Pork Ribs $12 *** 1/2 Pint Potato Salad $7 *** IPA $8.50 *** Tax 3.85 Tip $7.80

Photos
Bludso's BBQ - Bar

Bar

Bludso's BBQ - Brisket Sandwich

Brisket Sandwich

Bludso's BBQ - Pitmaster's Punch and Low and Slow

See all

Pitmaster's Punch and Low and Slow

Craft by Smoke & Fire - LA Live - Brisket Quesadilla

Craft by Smoke & Fire - LA Live

4.5(954 reviews)
1.4 miDowntown
$$

My wife and I were just walking through LA Live and received word from a hostess that it was buy…read moreone get one happy hour. So of course we jumped on it. I ordered the Blood In, Blood Out and my wife ordered the Hispanic! At the Disco. Both drinks were amazing. We also ordered an appetizer of their Smoked Hatch Chili Queso which was delicious in every conceivable way. Additionally, the hostess we first talked to and our waiter were both outstanding. A++ service here. We're definitely going to come back next time we're in the area.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!…read more When the employee lured us in, she said to go to the counter inside and wait for someone to seat us. There were several employees that saw us just standing there, but we still waited there for 5 mins before someone told the girl from outside to take us to our table. We were finally seated. Then guy who told the girl to seat us was just standing around d chit chatting with another employees for about 15 minutes before he even came to our table. He never even introduce himself. He just took our order. Another 20 mins came by before our food was served. OUR FOOD WAS ROOM TEMPERATURE. Short Rib was ok. The macaroni was stale and OLD! It was dry and not fresh! We asked for extra BBQ sauce and that didn't arrive for another 15 mins. We had to wave down another employee to try to get the sauce to us. I wouldn't recommend this place! Horrible service. Didn't even come around to see if we needed anything or if everything was good or not. We came here around 1:30pm on 3/16. The restroom was also out of paper towels and soap from the soda dispenser. Poor quality food! Glad I tried it, so I know to not come back again!

Photos
Craft by Smoke & Fire - LA Live - Mac Rib

Mac Rib

Craft by Smoke & Fire - LA Live - MacRib Sandwich

MacRib Sandwich

Craft by Smoke & Fire - LA Live - Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito

See all

Nashville Hot Chicken Burrito

Maple Block Meat Co - Santa Fe Chicken Salad

Maple Block Meat Co

4.2(214 reviews)
0.4 miDowntown
$$

I'm a regular at GCM, and while I don't stop by every single day, Maple Block is always one of the…read morefirst spots I look forward to visiting. It's a staple in my rotation, and over time I've really gotten to know the people there--especially at the bar. One person who truly stands out is Becca. She's usually one of the first people I see when I go to GCM, She is an absolute delight. because she greets me with a such enthusiasm or a friendly wave and a genuinely beautiful smile. Honestly, it almost makes me feel guilty that I don't come by more often! Recently, I saw a review about an incident involving a customer and one of the people who work here, so I feel compelled to speak up. If you come across any negative review about anyone here at the bar, I can confidently say it does not reflect the people I--and many others--have experienced. In all my visits, I've never once seen her or the staff handle anything with anything less than professionalism and kindness. As a patron, one of the main reasons I keep coming back to Maple Block is because of the people. The staff creates such a welcoming, positive atmosphere, which really stands out--especially in an area where you can occasionally encounter challenging situations. Take any negative reviews with a grain of salt and urge you to go see for yourself!!!! Maple Block has consistently been a great experience for me, and I highly recommend stopping by. 10/10 will come again

If you're looking for a strictly good BBQ spot in the area, keep looking. But if you're looking for…read moreabove average BBQ with great vibes and amazing service, then this is your spot! The food was pretty good, the brisket was on the drier side but the ribs were delicious. The mac and cheese looked amazing but unfortunately tasted watered down. Cornbread was amazing (or so I heard, I didn't eat it myself). Overall, I'd come again if I'm in the area but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit.

Photos
Maple Block Meat Co
Maple Block Meat Co
Maple Block Meat Co - Brisket Taco

See all

Brisket Taco

Moo's Craft Barbecue

Moo's Craft Barbecue

4.2(1k reviews)
2.1 miLincoln Heights
$$
Family-owned & operated
Catering service

Food was great a solid 8.5 out of ten my only complaint would be that we didn't get sausage with…read morethe bbq platter since they were out of it. Over all service was nice friendly workers. The best part was the banana pudding it was tasty and had real bananas.

Moo's Craft was absolutely delicious. It's been a while since I had good BBQ and I'm glad Moo's was…read morethere to scratch that itch. I'm from NorCal so our BBQ game is lacking. I saw a few YouTubers eating food from moo's Craft so knew I had to have it on my list of places to try when visiting socal. My group and I decided to stop here for our lunch before going to universal studios since it was along the way. Parking is pretty confusing for us. They state there's a lot behind the building to park at, but it looks liked you have to pay and we weren't sure which lot. So we just did street parking. We did go around 1:30 pm on a Thursday, so did not have much of an issue with finding street parking. Inside the restaurant, they have plenty of seating indoors and outdoors. There's no wait staff, so you go to the counter and order and once it's ready, they call your name/number and you pick up your tray of food from the counter. We ordered the El trio platter, which comes with 1 lbs of brisket, 1 lbs of pork ribs, 2 sausages (chili relleno and cheddar jalapeno) and 2 sides (which we chose Mac and cheese and red potato salad). We also saw the burgers from YouTube so got 2 of the Thicc burgers to share among everyone. We got a sides of the Texas chili to try. Everything was great. Our group really enjoyed the food and everyone said the BBQ was some of the best they've had. The brisket was really tender and seasoned well. Everything was seasoned well actually. The burger was great. It was soft, great flavor and was just really solid. One of the best burgers I've had. The ribs were everyone's least favorite, but that just means the other food tasted better. Ribs were still good. All the sides were delicious as well. The Texas chili was great, the Mac and cheese was creamy and the potato salad tasted homemade. We could tell it was made in house. The sweet iced tea was refreshing, not overly sweet b Overall, I'll have to come back here to try their desserts and other items. I'll for sure be getting the burger and brisket again.

Photos
Moo's Craft Barbecue - Beef brisket, jalapeno cheddar cheese sausage, pulled pork, pork ribs and Texas chilli.

Beef brisket, jalapeno cheddar cheese sausage, pulled pork, pork ribs and Texas chilli.

Moo's Craft Barbecue
Moo's Craft Barbecue - Sloppy Moo.. Brisket and sausage with pickles and onions. You need to wear a bib..

See all

Sloppy Moo.. Brisket and sausage with pickles and onions. You need to wear a bib..

Torigoya - japanese - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...