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    Waraku

    4.2 (797 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 1:45 pm, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    WARAKU ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Waraku

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    Reviews With Photos

    Eunice L.

    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.

    Mini negitoro bowl
    Ana C.

    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.

    Lindsay G.

    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.

    Chiraishi bowl, karaage, tuna bowl, tuna salmon bowl
    Kayla D.

    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.

    Chu toro bowl, toro sashimi
    Jane K.

    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.

    Alfred Timothy C.

    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.

    Otoro Bowl
    Angela L.

    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.

    Seaweed salad
    Daniel W.

    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.

    Bara chirashi
    Jimmy S.

    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.

    Franklin C.

    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.

    Chicken Karrage
    Nicole H.

    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.

    chutoro + negitoro bowl
    Sarah Y.

    I got the chu-toro and negitoro bowl. The bowl was more filling than it looks and the cuts of fish were fatty and fresh. It was a great bowl for a weekend lunch and the service was good despite it being a little busy.

    Salad
    Abbie N.

    My family and I were able to get seated at a table for 15 without a wait which was amazing. My favorite were the sushi box sets, hamachi collar, salmon belly, and tempuras

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    Waraku Reviews in Other Languages

    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?

    Do you have outdoor seating available?

    No, not anymore.

    What's a good item to order from there?

    They are known for their Japanese Wagyu steak bowls.

    Is it open today (12/25, Christmas Day)?

    Yes

    Are they open on xmas and new years eves?

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes they do!

    Do they offer lunch menu on the weekends?

    Yes

    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.

    View All 15 Questions

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    Izakaya Hachi - Torrance

    4.2(728 reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    It takes a lot for me to be blown away when it comes to food and this place was it for me. Our…read morefriends introduced us to this place and it was spectacular! The ambiance is great, not so loud and the vibes are perfect for night out with the girls or even date night. We came in a group and just ordered family style but I started off with the Beef BBQ Yakiniku salad and it was so delicious I didn't share this particular plate it was so flavorful. Their Gobo Chips are a must along with their Doteni Braised Beef Tongue and that was my favorite so simple and that bite was perfection. Their chicken and green onion skewers those were finger licking good the chicken was so tender. We finished off with the Shabu shabu hot pot and that broth was so flavorful and all the cabbage, spinach and noodles were great! Everything we had was delicious and can't wait to go back and try some other items. Their customer service was great, we were a group of 6 and everything came out quick and we were able to enjoy our tasty food and drinks.

    Made a reservation several days in advance because this place is usually hard to walk into, but…read morewhen we arrived the restaurant was not really busy and even walk-ins could have been seated easily. What was most disappointing was how rushed the service felt. About an hour into the meal, staff repeatedly tried to clear plates that we were still eating from, and we had to tell them more than once that we were not finished. After asking whether we wanted more drinks and hearing that we were fine, they brought the bill almost immediately, which made it feel like they were trying to push us out. Meanwhile, other tables that arrived before us were still comfortably dining and talking. We had also ordered more than enough food--honestly more than several other tables around us--so there was no reason for our table to be rushed out. Most restaurants typically allow at least a two-hour dining window, yet we ended up leaving in just about one hour because the pressure to leave was so obvious. Ironically, the food was actually excellent, but the staff's behavior completely overshadowed the meal and made it hard to even remember how good the food was. Since this was noted as a special occasion, the experience felt especially disappointing. Rather than feeling welcomed, we felt pressured to leave. Would not recommend this place for a birthday or any special occasion.

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    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill - Okura & Pork Belly, Asparagus & Pork Belly, Zucchini, Japanese Yam [Yamaimo], & Chicken Thigh  08-12-2025

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill

    4.4(190 reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$

    The best yakitori spots in the southbay, prices are a little bit on the higher side compared to the…read moresurrounding yakitori but oh so worth the it. The inside is very sleek modern dinning vibe. They have bar and tables seats. The menu is very vast and have all the yakitori staples. I've eaten most items on their menu and each one is incredible and juicy. The smokiness is tastefully done and isnt over powering. The atmosphere is very upscale for a yakitori restaurant so a nice place for dates or a birthday. This is one of the restaurants I always recommend if someone is asking about good places to eat in the southbay!

    You + me & yakitori!…read more If you're looking for a cozy February night out, Hasu Japanese Izakaya and Grill has the perfect Izakaya vibes. It has great food, friendly service and a warm atmosphere. For Valentine's Day, they had a complimentary drink for all the ladies. I enjoyed the refreshing drink that they offered. It was fruity and sweet and went well with the yakitori we ordered. Among the skewers we ordered were Chicken Thigh, Chicken Heart, Chicken Meatballs, Pork Belly, Pork Belly with Okura, Kobe Style Beef, Oyster Mushroom with Truffle Oil, Zucchini, Potato and Duck and Green Onion. We also ordered a Yaki Onichazuke as well Shochu Yuzu with Soda and Cream Soda. From the skewers, my favorite were the Chicken Thigh, Chicken Meatballs, Oyster Mushroom with Truffle and Pork Belly with Okura. The skewers were perfectly grilled and were full of smoky and savory flavor. The meat was tender and juicy. I also enjoyed the Cream Soda. I loved the sweet, fizzy and creaminess. It had the right hint of vanilla. Last but not least was the Yaki Onichazuke. This consisted of a grilled rice ball in homemade chicken soup, green onions and dried seaweed. The chicken broth was heartwarming and flavorful. It enhanced the crispy yaki onigori. It was the perfect bowl of warmth and umami. Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill offers comfort food elevated! I really enjoyed the little skewers that were perfect for sharing and over drinks and conversation.

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    Torrance Yokocho - Salmon Poke

    Torrance Yokocho

    3.7(197 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    First, the ambience is very trendy and resembles a Tokyo alleyway. You order your food via screens…read moreon each table. Service is very fast and food is typical Japanese cuisine. The sushi rolls, cucumber salad were great. The regular dinner salad was ok. Ramen and other dishes were good. They have privacy curtains in each booth which adds a nice touch. The overall experience is good but i would have like the wow factor to extend towards the cuisine.

    I Lost a Game of Reflexes, but Won at Dinner Despite living…read morea 5 minute drive away from here since the dawn of time, we somehow missed this absolute gem of an Izakaya (first timers trying it). We walked in right on time for our reservation (because we're adults who respect the space-time continuum) and were ushered into a booth with "privatey" curtains. I'm not saying they'd hide you from the FBI, but they certainly provided enough cover for us to giggle and navigate stupidly through the menu. You can also order directly to a friendly human too. The atmosphere is colorful, lively, unstuffy, and private enough to enjoy good convo but not awko quiet. You order everything via an iPad, which is dangerous because when pictures of gyoza are staring you in the face, your impulse control vanishes. We ordered "a little bit of everything," which is code for "the table was structurally compromised by the weight of our dinner." * The Highlights: The pickled cucumbers (crisp enough to hear in the next county), the pork bowl, and sushi that actually tasted like it came from the ocean. The Fluids: Cold Asahi and Lemon Chu-His. Highly recommended if you enjoy being happy. The Verdict This spot is a unicorn--it works for kids, first dates, or "290th dates" where you both just want to stare at an iPad and eat kimchi in a tent. The Heartbreak They have a "10-Second Hit It" game at the front door where you can win a free meal. We were this close. We didn't win, but we're definitely going back to seek revenge.

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    Torikizoku - Close-Up of the Summer Shabu Salad ($11)  06-26-2025

    Torikizoku

    4.0(270 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Came here for dinner last night with my husband. Very clean and service was amazing. This is why I…read moregive them a 5 stars. Food is a 4 stars, but because of the excellent staff service, 5 stars. We ordered: Mune kizokuyaki - chicken breast all spice (tare may be a better choice, but my husband wanted to try mixed spices since it was different) Unagi (eel) Teba (chicken wings) Very flavorful Ebi (shrimp) the head and shell were left on, so won't order it again as it's too much work to remove the shell and fingers get dirty) Tsukune (chicken meatballs) Beef harami steak with mashed potatoes & cabbage- only $2 more to add side mashed & cabbage Tori Q (marinated cucumbers) Agedashi Tofu Houjicha pudding for dessert (loved it) Drinks : houijicha tea and Sapporo beer Overall, for the price and the size, it's well worth it. Again, had better yakitori's elsewhere, but serving size is much smaller, so you end up ordering more; which means more $$$$. Service was also amazing and food came out quick. Our favorite picks are: Unagi, teba, tsukune, beef harami, & Tori Q cucumbers. Will come back again for sure to try other skewers/apps. I will definitely order the chicken breast/green onions in tare sauce next time as opposed the mixed spices. In summary, I highly recommend to check this place out and experience the great ambiance and service.

    Where to begin? I honestly hadn't heard of this chain before walking in. I was actually just…read morehunting for ramen after making a return at Walmart and thought I spotted a spot pulling into the lot. I came by myself and ordered five items plus a Yuzu Sapporo. You have to get the Yuzu Sapporo. I loved it, especially paired with the chicken skin. Perfect match. The service was great; the waiter came by and gave me a full run-through of how the menu works. Here's the breakdown: Ramen: Must-get. Grilled Ground Chicken Rice Bowl: Must-get. Fried Seared Chicken Skin Chips: Do get! Kizoku Yaki (Thigh w/ Teriyaki): Do get! Shiitake Skewer: Skip. It was small and kind of dry. I walked out super satisfied. I feel for the people who were disappointed because they've been to other locations after the fact, but I noticed the menu is already changing (saw a couple of updated editions), so hopefully they keep growing. I'd attribute my good experience to the responsive waiter, getting seated immediately at the bar, and the fact that I crushed it with my order. I'm already thinking about coming back because we really need more yakitori spots for those "in-between" stages, like a late lunch or a late- day cravings when you just want variety and small bites. That's exactly what a yakitori spot should be! It's smoky. Be prepared!

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    Koshiji - Chili peppers skewer - quite spicy

    Koshiji

    4.1(282 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This izakaya is located in an unassuming strip mall but its food is anything but. I had been…read morefiending for some yakitori since our last visit to Tokyo and this spot did not disappoint. If I had been able to eat crunchier / harder stuff (I had dental work done prior), I would have been more adventurous with the menu. They had so many delicious looking options! That being said, the skewers were AMAZING. Their chicken skewers, the scallop, and the veggies were cooked to perfection. I felt like I had just walked back into a legit izakaya in Tokyo. The vibes were amazing, the staff was so friendly. I will absolutely be back. 10000000/10

    Made reservations for a Saturday night for a date and was instantly impressed by the gorgeous…read moretraditional Japanese interior and its ambiance. The smell of the yakitori hits you as you open the door, and it's a fantastic indicator for the high quality food they're serving up. We ordered the Kushiyaki Set Meal 2 along with a couple other sides and it fed both of us to satisfaction. They were also kind enough to let us sub out the seafood we couldn't have for anything else on the menu, and the chefs were very attentive and presented every skewer as they handed them off. As much as I would love to give them 5 stars, the service was a bit rocky, as we didn't receive several parts of our order and had to ask where they were an hour into our meal. The atmosphere was very nice, so we didn't mind waiting, but I think there was a bit of a language gap, as we ordered the Salmon Yaki Ochazuke and received the Yaki onigiri instead. I think the staff were waiting on a certain part of the dish and forgot as the night went on. Eventually we got the correct order, and were very satisfied with the meal itself. Would absolutely come back!!

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    Koshiji - Kushiyaki course

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    Koshiji - Chicken Wings ($4.50), Chicken & Green Onions ($4.25), Pork w/ Shiso Leaf ($4.75), Okra w/ Pork ($4.50)  01-02-2026

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    Izakaya Akatsuki

    Izakaya Akatsuki

    4.5(470 reviews)
    2.3 miHarbor Gateway
    $$
    Family-owned & operated
    Large group friendly

    Overall impression: Everything we tried was excellent -- no complaints at all…read more Food highlights: We ordered the octopus sunomono, crispy gyoza, seared marinated mackerel, hard shell clam, fried chicken, and mentai cream hotpot. · The fried chicken is among the best we've had in LA. · The gyoza and mentai cream hotpot are absolute must-tries. Service: Attentive and genuinely doing their best -- very solid. Ambiance / decor: A bit dated, but practical and comfortable.

    If you are looking for an authentic Japanese Izakaya with good quality food, this restaurant is a…read moregood option. They have plenty of comfortable seating and the food options are varied enough to satisfy most people in your family. We were seated quickly on Mother's Day night but I did have a reservation. The Akatsuki Special Hot Pot with Chicken Soy Sauce was very nice. It is a bit pricey but we did share it among 3 people. It has a good combo of pork belly, meatballs, mochi and veggies. We would have chosen the Spicy Miso Butter soup base but one of my daughters doesn't like spicy food. I highly recommend getting the Udon Set with it. We only got one since my daughters are not large eaters. My husband ordered the Grilled Yellowtail Collar and he said it was very good. The size was so large - it was a really good value. But the star dish of the evening was the Crispy Winged Gyoza. We ordered that at the end and only got 6 pieces. It is perfectly crispy, with a really tasty filling and the dipping sauce is to die for. Next time we will order the 16 piece set. Sadly we were so excited to eat everything I forgot to take pictures of our food. But we'll be back for sure!

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    12-16-2023

    Ojiya - **SPECIAL**
 Freshly caught tuna, cleaned & cut at OJIYA.  Sashimi, Temaki and Sushi $12.99.  Hurry!! Order it before it is all gone!

    Ojiya

    4.1(445 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This place is well-known and highly respected among Torrance's Japanese community for serving up…read morequality 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.

    I really wanted to like Ojiya, but after my second attempt, I've decided I will not be back. I…read moreordered 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.

    Photos
    Ojiya - Takana Fried Rice

    Takana Fried Rice

    Ojiya - Udon Carbonara

    Udon Carbonara

    Ojiya - Tonkotsu Ramen

    See all

    Tonkotsu Ramen

    Waraku - izakaya - Updated May 2026

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