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Waraku (formerly Wadasumi) has always been one of my favorite Japanese restaurants ever since they first opened. After changing to Waraku, they dropped the price of my favorite items by 20%, which understandably resulted in the meat quality dropping 20% as well. Even with the change the quality it is still very good value, so I keep coming back for their fish bowls and steak bowls. Reservations are needed on weekends.
Came here for a birthday lunch and it was obviously a favorite of locals. The ladies who work here are fast, efficient and friendly. For my main meal I ordered the chirashi meal. Nice set of sashimi. Friends ordered the tonkatsu and tempura teishoku. Food is well prepared here. Everything was tasty!
Came here on a Friday around 7:45 and was seated right away. The restaurant itself has both seating in the front and the back, but there were still a few empty tables when we arrived. The fish here was super fresh since they fly it in every morning. However, the biggest caveat with that was that since we came late, they were sold out of a lot of the dishes we were looking at. We really wanted to try the chutoro but they were out. The dishes are a bit on the pricey side for the quantity you get too.
First time at Waraku...oh my, the sashimi was so fresh and definitely worth it--melt-in-your-mouth goodness! Even the rice was really tasty. This place left a delicious impression. Looking forward to coming back!
Nice restaurant with a good variety of dishes and fresh fish. This restaurant also offers a selection of wine, which is a nice difference since a standard Japanese and sushi restaurants tend to focus primarily on sake and beer. We ordered a bottle that paired nicely with the meal.
Haven't been here in a while but realized how good it was when I went back. It was my niece's first 100 day birthday and everything we ordered was delicious. This place is great cause the turf is good as the surf. If seafood is not your thing, the meats and vegetables dishes are equal in quality and taste to the seafood. The workers are professional and really good at what they do.
Fresh, delicious, and consistently excellent! High quality sashimi, perfectly cooked steak, friendly service, and a clean, cozy atmosphere. We've been here few times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend Waraku!
The restaurant is located adjacent to Abalone Ave, different from the location that was shown on Apple/Google Maps. While you were at the corner, you would see its noticeable sign. It felt causal and cozy inside, simple and clean. We arrived late at around 1:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon but the waitress was patient and friendly, guiding us to seats and let us know to order before their kitchen was closed. It had a lunch special menu which showed several special items at a very affordable price. We picked the Negitoro Bowl from this special menu (at half of the regular price). The tuna had a balanced fat and was minced in a manner that I felt it melt in my mouth. It's a good match with rice. The Kaisen Bowl had a variety of seafoods and all of them tasted very fresh! The salty fish roe made the rice more flavorful. The Kaisen Bowl came with a miso soup and a salad. We also ordered a soba which was well cooked. We definitely will go back to try more dishes!
If you want real Japanese vibes in Torrance, you need to try Waraku Japanese Dine & Bar not your typical sushi spot-- this place feels like a cozy izakaya with home-style Japanese dishes. the sashimi is next level, so fresh it literally melts they even bring fish from Osaka, which explains the quality from kaisendon to unagi egg bowls and crispy karaage, there are so many good options every bite is worth it.
Waraku is such a fun gem if you're craving simple, thoughtful Japanese food done really well. I stopped by for their lunch special and was pleasantly surprised by how much value and quality they packed into one meal. The set came with the most decadent chawanmushi--silky, savory, and incredibly comforting. I chose the cold soba, and the dipping sauce was beautifully balanced with a deep umami flavor that wasn't overly salty. One small detail that really stood out to me was the wasabi--it tasted fresh, mild, and clean, without that harsh, chemical bite you sometimes get elsewhere. The lunch also included a light side salad with a sesame dressing and a mini negitoro bowl. The rice was perfectly seasoned, and the fish was incredibly fresh--it all felt very intentional and well executed. Service was warm and seamless, with the team working together effortlessly to take care of guests. The ambiance is clean, calm, and understated, making it a great spot to slow down and enjoy a quiet, satisfying meal.
This spot is definitely fine dining. The quality of the food really stands out...every bite melts in your mouth. It's light yet filling and packed with flavor. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but completely worth it for the quality you're getting. I had the salmon and yellowtail bowl, and it was incredible. I also tried my sister-in-law's bluefin bowl and my boyfriend's cooked salmon, and honestly, I can't even choose a favorite because each one had its own unique flavor and was equally delicious. From the outside, it looks small, but don't let that fool you there are several room options inside. The customer service was excellent as well. I'm already telling my boyfriend we need to go back.
I was craving some japanese food, so me and my friends came here after we had just landed at LAX. We arrived around dinner time, and didn't have to wait much at all, practically seated instantly. I ordered the chiraishi bowl and we all got the karaage to share. The restaurant is a bit more upscale and classy, but you can still go regardless of if you're dressed up or not if you're worried about that. The karaage was crispy, hot, and delicious when it came out, and was a good sharing size. The chiraishi bowl was delicious. Every single piece of fish was so yummy and had little to no fishiness along with a good texture. It is definitely a bit on the pricier side, but if you are looking for quality fish, this is another spot that you should come to.
Was excited to check out this authentic Japanese restaurant, which is known to ship their fish directly from Osaka. Located in a small strip mall in Torrance, parking is free and plenty in the mall lot. Came on a Monday night and did not need to wait for a table for two. Their menu is simple and highlights what everyone is undoubtedly there for, fresh sushi and chirashi bowls, although I did see some hot food options like curry and udon for people who want something cooked. I love my tuna so settled immediately on their special of the day, the Otoro bowl, which was a fair price including complimentary miso soup. Sadly there were not too many pieces of tuna, and while creamy, could not replicate what you can find in the Japanese fish markets. Still was a good meal, just found myself hungry at the end of it.
Came here for a simple and fresh dinner and left with a very happy stomach. Between the buttery, melt in your mouth sashimi, the perfectly seasoned sushi rice, and the generous portions, we were very satisfied with our meal. The restaurant looks small from the outside but inside has a spacious dining room with private booths and open tables, as well as bar seating. The restaurant itself is located at the end of a strip mall with a large parking lot. Service was attentive and efficient. I made a reservation just in case, but didn't end up needing it for a weeknight dinner. read more
Waraku (formerly Wadasumi) has always been one of my favorite Japanese restaurants ever since they first opened. After changing to Waraku, they dropped the price of my favorite items by 20%, which understandably resulted in the meat quality dropping 20% as well. Even with the change the quality it is still very good value, so I keep coming back for their fish bowls and steak bowls. Reservations are needed on weekends. read more
Came here for a birthday lunch and it was obviously a favorite of locals. The ladies who work here are fast, efficient and friendly. For my main meal I ordered the chirashi meal. Nice set of sashimi. Friends ordered the tonkatsu and tempura teishoku. Food is well prepared here. Everything was tasty! read more
1 month ago
Came here on a Friday around 7:45 and was seated right away. The restaurant itself has both seating in the front and the back, but there were still a few empty tables when we arrived. The fish here was super fresh since they fly it in every morning. However, the biggest caveat with that was that since we came late, they were sold out of a lot of the dishes we were looking at. We really wanted to try the chutoro but they were out. The dishes are a bit on the pricey side for the quantity you get too. read more
12 days ago
Nice restaurant with a good variety of dishes and fresh fish. This restaurant also offers a selection of wine, which is a nice difference since a standard Japanese and sushi restaurants tend to focus primarily on sake and beer. We ordered a bottle that paired nicely with the meal. read more
Haven't been here in a while but realized how good it was when I went back. It was my niece's first 100 day birthday and everything we ordered was delicious. This place is great cause the turf is good as the surf. If seafood is not your thing, the meats and vegetables dishes are equal in quality and taste to the seafood. The workers are professional and really good at what they do. read more
Fresh, delicious, and consistently excellent! High quality sashimi, perfectly cooked steak, friendly service, and a clean, cozy atmosphere. We've been here few times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend Waraku! read more
5 months ago
The restaurant is located adjacent to Abalone Ave, different from the location that was shown on Apple/Google Maps. While you were at the corner, you would see its noticeable sign. It felt causal and cozy inside, simple and clean. We arrived late at around 1:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon but the waitress was patient and friendly, guiding us to seats and let us know to order before their kitchen was closed. It had a lunch special menu which showed several special items at a very affordable price. We picked the Negitoro Bowl from this special menu (at half of the regular price). The tuna had a balanced fat and was minced in a manner that I felt it melt in my mouth. It's a good match with rice. The Kaisen Bowl had a variety of seafoods and all of them tasted very fresh! The salty fish roe made the rice more flavorful. The Kaisen Bowl came with a miso soup and a salad. We also ordered a soba which was well cooked. We definitely will go back to try more dishes! read more
If you want real Japanese vibes in Torrance, you need to try Waraku Japanese Dine & Bar not your typical sushi spot-- this place feels like a cozy izakaya with home-style Japanese dishes. the sashimi is next level, so fresh it literally melts they even bring fish from Osaka, which explains the quality from kaisendon to unagi egg bowls and crispy karaage, there are so many good options every bite is worth it. read more
Waraku is such a fun gem if you're craving simple, thoughtful Japanese food done really well. I stopped by for their lunch special and was pleasantly surprised by how much value and quality they packed into one meal. The set came with the most decadent chawanmushi--silky, savory, and incredibly comforting. I chose the cold soba, and the dipping sauce was beautifully balanced with a deep umami flavor that wasn't overly salty. One small detail that really stood out to me was the wasabi--it tasted fresh, mild, and clean, without that harsh, chemical bite you sometimes get elsewhere. The lunch also included a light side salad with a sesame dressing and a mini negitoro bowl. The rice was perfectly seasoned, and the fish was incredibly fresh--it all felt very intentional and well executed. Service was warm and seamless, with the team working together effortlessly to take care of guests. The ambiance is clean, calm, and understated, making it a great spot to slow down and enjoy a quiet, satisfying meal. read more
7 months ago
This spot is definitely fine dining. The quality of the food really stands out...every bite melts in your mouth. It's light yet filling and packed with flavor. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but completely worth it for the quality you're getting. I had the salmon and yellowtail bowl, and it was incredible. I also tried my sister-in-law's bluefin bowl and my boyfriend's cooked salmon, and honestly, I can't even choose a favorite because each one had its own unique flavor and was equally delicious. From the outside, it looks small, but don't let that fool you there are several room options inside. The customer service was excellent as well. I'm already telling my boyfriend we need to go back. read more
I was craving some japanese food, so me and my friends came here after we had just landed at LAX. We arrived around dinner time, and didn't have to wait much at all, practically seated instantly. I ordered the chiraishi bowl and we all got the karaage to share. The restaurant is a bit more upscale and classy, but you can still go regardless of if you're dressed up or not if you're worried about that. The karaage was crispy, hot, and delicious when it came out, and was a good sharing size. The chiraishi bowl was delicious. Every single piece of fish was so yummy and had little to no fishiness along with a good texture. It is definitely a bit on the pricier side, but if you are looking for quality fish, this is another spot that you should come to. read more
Was excited to check out this authentic Japanese restaurant, which is known to ship their fish directly from Osaka. Located in a small strip mall in Torrance, parking is free and plenty in the mall lot. Came on a Monday night and did not need to wait for a table for two. Their menu is simple and highlights what everyone is undoubtedly there for, fresh sushi and chirashi bowls, although I did see some hot food options like curry and udon for people who want something cooked. I love my tuna so settled immediately on their special of the day, the Otoro bowl, which was a fair price including complimentary miso soup. Sadly there were not too many pieces of tuna, and while creamy, could not replicate what you can find in the Japanese fish markets. Still was a good meal, just found myself hungry at the end of it. read more
Came right at opening on Saturday 5:30 PM with a reservation and were seated immediately always a good start. We arrived early and grabbed chestnut soft serve next door, and even at 5:15 there was already a line forming. By opening, about 1/4 the dining room was filled. Maybe 6-7 tables? Right at opening!! By 6:30 I'm pretty sure the whole restaurant was filled and every table was Japanese or Asian families. That's when you know you're in the right place. Food I ordered: Teppanyaki wagyu was so good we ordered a second one, no hesitation. Chu toro bowl: 9/10, beautifully fatty and balanced. Omakase sashimi (7/10, 8 pieces): high quality overall, though 2 cuts didn't quite hit for me. 5 oz steak: 8/10 Toro sashimi: 9/10 Ankimo: 8/10 Pro move: saved the rice from the chu toro bowl to pair with the omakase and steak. Notes for fellow food people: ama ebi doesn't come with a fried head. Jumbo clam was solid (per my date) cuts aren't as big but they are fat square shape. Service was efficient, food came out quickly, and the pacing was smooth despite a full house. Great quality across the board. Total bill was 214? With everything we got not too bad. Yes pricey but other places would've been over 300 easily! Would absolutely return. read more
9 months ago
If you're craving a fresh, clean sashimi bowl, this is the spot. I came here Saturday night with a friend and had some of the smoothest, freshest fish I've had in a long time. I ordered the chūtoro bowl (their special), and wow. The fish was incredibly rich and buttery, with that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture that almost coats your tongue. Super delicate, slightly sweet, and just indulgent in the best way. I ate it way too fast and was genuinely sad when it was gone. The bowl alone didn't quite satisfy me, so I'd definitely recommend adding an appetizer. The takowasa was great, bright, briny, and refreshing. The wasabi wasn't overpowering, which let the octopus really shine. I also really enjoyed the chicken karaage, crispy, juicy, and super comforting. Ask for mayo, they'll happily bring some out. The space itself is beautiful, modern, clean, and relaxed with a solid drink selection. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and yes, even the bathroom was spotless. I really hope this place gets busier because the food absolutely deserves it. read more
The last time I visited this place, it was still called Wadatsumi. I was impressed with their hot dishes then, and I'm still impressed with the hot dishes now. It's a lovely little store retaining the same decor and furnishings. The service is still fine as well. I got the unagi tamago bowl, yellowtail collar, seaweed salad, chawanmushi, Ankimo, and beef curry. The standout was definitely the unagi tamago bowl. Both the eel and the egg were cooked well over a bed of fluffy rice. Great flavors all around and a decent portion size. The yellowtail collar was grilled to spec, crispy skin and flaky meat. There was a hint of fishiness so maybe the fish isn't the absolute best, but still quite good for what you can get in America at this price. The chawanmushi is also good like how I remember it. Made with some dashi so extra flavorful. The seaweed salad is nice if you need some vegetables and comes with a fairly standard Japanese dressing. Ankimo was cooked very well, very soft and served with nice vegetables to pair. I do enjoy the beef curry flavor wise more than a place like coco ichibanya, but it was not the hottest. Definitely a solid place to come to if you're looking for a hot Japanese meal, but I can't speak on the sushi. read more
2 days ago
Came here with a couple of friends this past Monday for dinner. We made a reservation for 5:45 pm and honestly thought we probably didn't need it. Turns out it was a good call because shortly after we sat down, the place filled up. Once seated, our server gave us some time to look through the menu. The bara chirashi immediately caught all of our attention. The server mentioned they only had two servings left, so we jumped on it. The other dishes ordered were the 3 kinds bluefin tuna box and the bluefin tuna chutoro and negitoro bowl. Everything was delicious. The bara chirashi was the standout and felt really unique. It had scallops, cubed cuts of bluefin tuna, and salmon roe. The sushi rice was seasoned perfectly and tied everything together. The tuna dishes were also fresh and high quality, exactly what you hope for at a place like this. Service was good throughout the meal. The ambiance is what you would expect from a traditional Japanese restaurant with a mix of tables, bar seating, and booths. We sat in a booth and had no problem holding a normal conversation. We will definitely be back, especially to try the unagi bowl and more of the menu. If you're into chirashi bowls, this place is absolutely worth checking out. read more
11 months ago
Place is spacious but we didn't know the place closes super early on Sundays. We got there around 1pm and it closes at 2pm. I just order the poke bowl lunch special. It was filling for a quick meal. Service was attentive but I felt a bit rushed since tables were getting cleaned rapidly next to us. A bit of rush feeling to get us moving. Food is great. Just a quick jolt to eat. read more
We had an incredible dinner before heading to a LA Galaxy game. We came in knowing we wanted to try the omakase sashimi and ended up discovering two more amazing dishes. The omakase plate was fresh and beautifully plated. The scallops were sweet and tender. We also tried the chicken karaage, which was fried to crispy perfection. The standout of the night was the rich and tender pork belly that just melted into the flavorful sauce. Paired with a crispy fried soft boiled egg, it created the perfect bite. Service was friendly and inviting. I appreciated our server assisting with a few food allergies as well. We definitely want to visit again. read more
2 months ago
Absolutely amazing experience at Waraku in Torrance! The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, and the service made the entire dinner even better. You can really feel the authentic Japanese atmosphere, especially with their private dining rooms. It was great to see Waraku recently receive a 2026 Dine Award -- very well deserved. Definitely one of the best Japanese dining experiences in Torrance! read more
5 months ago
The food was delicious and the quality felt really good for what I paid. The staff were also very friendly, and overall it was a nice experience. This was always one of the restaurants I wanted to try, so I was happy I finally got to visit haha. One thing is that the prices are high and the portion felt little small. If you are really hungry, I probably would not recommend ordering only the premium dishes. It might be better to try some of the more affordable menu options too. Still, the food quality was great and I would love to come back again to try different dishes next time. read more
Waraku is a gem of an Izakaya spot in the Torrance area serving up some fresh seafood imported directly from Osaka, Japan. This spot is located in a plaza with a good amount of parking spots. Inside, they have a newly renovated interior with a warm vibe and about 5-6 tables for seating. I stopped by for dinner around 7pm with wifey and some friends and we had a reservation. Keep in mind that reservations are highly recommended especially during more peak hours. For their menu, they have a wide range of appetizer, sushi, noodle, and rice dishes to choose from. Our group ended up getting a spread consisting of the Beef Tongue Dry Cured Ham Carpaccio, Bluefin Tuna Bowl, Angus Outside Steak Bowl, and the Dipping Soba with Fried Mushrooms. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here and could taste the quality of the food with every bite. All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. I am definitely glad to have stumbled upon this place and to experience their amazing food! read more
It has been more than 6 months since I have been here. They had a slip in their health rating and I was waiting for the A to go back into the window. Waraku still has the consistent service and great food I have come to expect. I find this place relaxing and welcoming. The server knows we always ask for togarashi and brought it to the table as we were seated. The staff is friendly and service is great. I had the sashimi lunch special. It was as good and fresh as it ever was. One of my lunch pals had the beef bowl and the other had the fried seafood plate. We were happy. read more
1 year ago
Eating here feels like you got on a plane and had a meal in Japan! Waraku which was formerly known as Wadatsumi is well-known for their fresh sushi and seafood and I had a great lunch here yesterday with my friends. The interior space has plenty of seating available for parties up to 4 or 5 and there's also a small bar area for dinner dining and private rooms for special occassions. The menu has a variety of seafood dishes and some meat options like their beef curry or katsu if you want something that isn't seafood. Service is quick and attentive here and they will happily answer any questions you have about the menu. I ordered the Bluefin Tuna Chutoro & Negitoro Bowl and we got a side of chicken nanban to share as an appetizer. Everything came out in a timely manner and we didn't wait long. The chicken nanban had a nice light crunch and paired with the tartar sauce, it was a tasty appetizer. The chicken was moist on the inside and not dry and had good flavor. The chutoro and negitoro bowl was excellent. The tuna was so fresh and had a great fattiness to it and was quite buttery overall. The sushi rice on the bottom was warm and a perfect compliment to the toro. They included wasabi and ginger on the side of the bowl as well. Overall, this was a great lunch meal and I would happily come here again for lunch or dinner. They serve $9 mini bowls during lunch and also offer meal sets as well. Parking is plentiful in the plaza. If you love sashimi or Japanese food, come check out Waraku! read more
1 year ago
Yummy and amazing! I love the bowls here and always get the unagi tomago bowl. It's so flavorful and the egg omelette is always my fav! I've always tried the tuna bowl and fresh yellowtail from the street market in Japan. Everything I've tried has always been amazing! And the service is great with super friendly employees! 10/10! read more
Finally got a chance to visit Waraku. We made reservations through open table so were seated right away. We started with a mug of Sapporo draft beer. We than ordered chicken karaage to sample and my wife ordered the negitoro lunch set with the hot somen noodles. I tried the negitoro lunch set with cold somen. The salad, negitoro, somen a d chawamushi were spot on. The only dish that we were not impressed with was the chicken karaage. It was okay, but not great. That dropped one star off my review. read more
8 months ago
Expensive but quality, quality, quality! This place serves up delicious Japanese food. They have private tatami room which is great because we were there to celebrate our sons' Birthday. All customers inside the restaurant were speaking Japanese so we knew right away that it was legit. Una-Jyu - OMG!!! It was as good as it can get. Expensive but delicious. Highly recommended. Daily Omakase - so so fresh, melt in your mouth sashimi. The scallops and Amaebi were so sweet. Just delicious. Highly recommended. Chicken Karaage- Big chunks of chicken, not like those with tons of batter. Not bad Angus's NY strip loin - not bad but I prefer it to be more char/ seared on the outside and rare on the inside. Chicken Soba - broth was very refreshing. Not bad I would definitely return, just for the Una-Jyu and Omakase. Note: this place does not have desserts. Bring your own desserts, if you are celebrating someone or something. read more
Ordered the seasonal toro on their special menu and steak curry. The ingredients are fresh and delicious. The service is fast and prompt. Ambiance is relaxed with louder Japanese businessesmen who enjoy dining and drinking here. I'd come back again if I'm in the Torrance area. Plenty of parking in the open plaza lot. read more
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More info about Waraku
1757 W Carson St
Ste R&S
Torrance, CA 90501
Directions
(424) 531-9024
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https://warakula.com
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Ask the Community - Waraku
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?…
They don't have outdoor seating anymore
Do you need to make reservation?
If you're having lunch during the week the answer is no. Lunch on the weekend may be crowded, so the answer is yes. If you're going for dinner, I would advise making a reservation.
Are they open on 12/31 or 1/1?
What's a good item to order from there?
They are known for their Japanese Wagyu steak bowls.
Are they open on xmas and new years eves?
Is the veggie tempura vegan?? Made without any animal ingredients?
Veggie tempura is not vegan...to make tempura batter, you need eggs. Also in order to make the tempura dipping sauce, you use bonito flakes as well.
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