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    zoku

    4.5 (140 reviews)
    PriceyIzakaya
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order zoku Takeout or Delivery

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    Business Info

    ZOKU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - zoku

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    Reviews With Photos

    Marinated Wagyu
    Aqua M.

    The staff who greet you at the entrance, as well as the servers, are all wonderfully attentive! The atmosphere is great, and every staff member creates a very welcoming vibe whenever a customer walks in! Since this was my second visit, I ordered things I hadn't tried the last time. As always, every dish looked so appealing -- the plating is absolutely stunning. The overall balance, colors, and presentation... everything made me want to take photos. Compared to other yakitori restaurants, the selection might be a bit limited, and die-hard yakitori fans may find it a little lacking, but it is definitely worth visiting at least once! My personal favorite here is the Chicken with Honey Mustard! The Karaage sauce is also incredible!! And finally, the desserts -- always something to look forward to! Every single one tastes like it came straight from a fine pastry shop, and I'm always blown away. I'm already looking forward to my next visit! Next time, I'd love to come for lunch and try the Yuzu Shio Ramen.

    Indoor seating
    Geraldine L.

    This place was amazing!! The staff was very welcoming and attentive. I loved the ambiance and the design of the restaurant. It felt very intimate and they were playing nice chill reggae music. We order 8 skewers from the lunch menu and it came with 2 salads & 2 bowls of rice! It was a good portion for two but I would recommending ordering a few extra orders on the side if you're extra hungry. All of the skewers were perfectly cooked and the flavors were great. I loved the unagi and wagyu!

    Entrance
    Aiko K.

    Absolutely enjoyed this place and already planning my 2nd visit! Came here for a work dinner and I wasn't sure what to expect - I can be a bit picky with my yakitori restaurant - but every dish we had ordered was so tasty! The restaurant is small and cozy, for a Wednesday, it wasn't too busy but the vibe was great from the other diners too. Service was friendly and attentive, everyone checked on us in a timely manner. My favorite dishes were the tofu cream cheese (I know, it sounds weird but so good), tsukune kushiyaki, teba kushiyaki and yaki onigiri. There's plenty of metered parking available in the lot right across (4hr parking) but it might get a bit full & busy on the weekends. If you're in the area, definitely have a beach day and visit Zoku for dinner!

    Menu (Dec 2025)
    Luke L.

    Zoku is a yakitori bar located in Riviera Village & Torikizoku and Hasu are sister restaurants of Zoku. Apparently there are over 600+ Zoku branches in Japan. Unlike Torikizoku, this location accepts reservation via OpenTable. [Parking]: Parking is hit-and-miss in Riviera Village, but there should be plenty of metered parking spots on a good day. [Reservation]: Our party just walked in without a reservation and waited about 15 minutes before getting seats. [Menu]: Very similar menu to Torikizoku, but Zoku offers more high-end and expensive items like A5 Wagyu Beef ($30 per skewer) and Wagyu Beef ($9.80 per skewer). Other Yelp highlighted items include Chicken Meatball, Chicken Thighs, and Yaki Onigiri. *** Yaki Onigiri (grilled rice ball with shoyu and katsuobushi - $5.50): The rice ball had a slight charcoal aftertaste. Momo (chicken thigh with yakitori sauce - $3.90): Just like the rice ball it also had a strong charcoal aftertaste. Tsukune (chicken meatball with Japanese tare - $4.80): I thought it was okay. Zoku Karrage (Japanese fried chicken with original "chick-fil-a" mayo - $9.50): Our party didn't really dip too much of mayo sauce. Wagyu Beef (with apple steak sauce $9.80): Our party didn't want to drop $30 on A5 Wagyu Beef so this was the next best option. Expensive but beef was certainly tender. *** Overall skewer quality is better than Torikizoku, but at the same time Zoku is a bit more expensive than Torikizoku. Please note that our party ended up eating dumplings afterward because we were only 75% full and didn't want spend more money. A solid yakitori spot for anyone who's willing to spend a good $$$.

    Interior
    Michael N.

    I was impressed from the moment I stepped inside. From the warm greeting to the nice service. We got there a little early but was able to get sat right away. Ate at the bar and had tasty skewers that made me order more after the first round. I would definitely come back. There aren't many yakatori spots so I was happy to find this one.

    Seasonal menu 11/2025
    Paulene L.

    OH MY GOSH. Tried it last night and knew I had to review it immediately. Yes, it's $$$, but I'd say it's worth every penny. My friends and I got the the restaurant 1 hour before closing, and the waitresses were really kind and did not rush us at all. What had drawn me into this place was that I am a sucker for yakitori. There were so many appetizers, and they even had a seasonal menu. As of 11/27, the seasonal menu included OYSTER MUSHROOMS BALSAMIC SMOKED DUCK A5 SUKIYAKI ASSORTED SASHIMI My friends and I tried it all. It was really pretty and delicious. I cannot pick a favorite out of them all. SKEWERS - I tried -Momo spicy was indeed spicy, great kick, and juicy -tsukune - meatball on a stick, I was fine with it, didn't blow my mind -waygu beef - loved it! My favorite is topped with onions Inside the restaurant can be a little small, so it can only hold so many people. I want to come back already! Everyone there left the restaurant with a smile.

    Mushrooms
    Elena J.

    Amazing little spot for Japanese food. They have a cool matcha beer that you should try if you like matcha! It's a fun spot with lots of little dishes to try. Definitely a place where you want to share a bunch of dishes with friends. Plenty of parking spaces and amazing staff that were friendly and attentive. Highlights include the corn in the rib, mushrooms, spicy karaage, and matcha beer.

    Salmon carpaccio
    Angelina B.

    Loved the sleek, modern, and minimalist environment. We were greeted with warm hand towels, that expanded with hot water poured over them at our table. For appetizers, we ordered the salmon carpaccio, cucumber salad and pickles - all were great. For dinner we ordered the waygu, chicken meatball, chicken, mushroom, and potato yakitori (skewers) all were equally great. Also really enjoyed the tofu salad! I enjoyed the food overall, but the space was the best part - it's refreshing to see a new and beautifully designed space in the area.

    Entrance
    Addy K.

    Inside zoku is really quaint, they have seats at the counter where you can see the skewers being grilled or sit at tables for 4 which can be combined for larger groups. We ordered a mix of yakitori and sides and everything came out fairly quick. The zoku cucumber salad was reallly tasty, I ordered a second. The salmon carpaccio, would probably skip next time. Not sure if it's the cut we got but it was a bit more chewy than typical carpaccio I've ordered at other places. Of the Kushiyaki, my favorites were: Mune Miso Honey Mustard, Momo Spicy, and Wagyu Beef. For dessert, we got the Matcha Brûlée, had custard in the middle with matcha powder sprinkled around the dish, was a perfect bitter/sweet balance.

    Sarah S.

    A couple friends recommended zoku when we were hanging in the South Bay and I'm so glad they did! They said their neighbors have all been talking about how good it is and I feel like I got that real life yelp experience - word of mouth! :) Parking all over in the lots around here plus tons of great places around to go for drinks after dinner. My friends and I actually had the Organic Matcha Beers here ($12) which were super cool, poured at the table. For starters, the Cream Cheese "Tofu" $14 was so delicious. It looks like tofu but it's creamy soft cheese surrounded by a light maple syrup that you can put on the sliced baguette pieces that come with it. If something makes your mouth water while thinking or describing it, you know that ish is good, and that is what is happening right now! Meatwise, the Wagyu Beef skewer (we just did the $10 ones, not the even fancier wagyu $40 or $30 pieces) was really tender and tasty. Same goes for the Mune Miso Honey Mustard Chicken skewer ($4.50) with plumpness to the nines. Staff was stellar, restaurant was cute, and most importantly food was so~~~~ yum! I'll be back soon!

    Happy Hour available Weds-Fri 4-6pm!
    Kathy Z.

    We were looking for a protein-forward meal and made our way to Zoku. This place is right by Riviera Village, a bustling part of town. We easily found metered parking on a weekend evening. One skewer per order, and they have a bunch on the menu. We like the wagyu beef, the scallop, the chicken wasabi and especially the chicken meatball. My date enjoyed the chicken karaage, but it was a tad bit too spicy for our liking. Still a great size for multiple to share and quite tasty. The charcoal was a nice touch. The interior is a bit small, with a handful of tables and a nice, long bar. It's cozy and inviting. Service is polite and efficient. Food came out quickly and everyone was very courteous. Apparently, there's happy hour! I can't wait to come back and give that a try.

    Baby Bella mushroom
    Peter H.

    TL;DR - AWESOME. Make a reservation online in case it gets busy. Friendly staff. Recommend A5 wagyu beef skewer, unagi and ebi skewers, baby bella mushrooms, and whole white peach tart. We had such a great time at Zoku. I am a big fan of yakitori and was excited to try this place. As soon as you enter, you're met with a really clean and modern interior. If I had to approximate, there's probably enough seating for 30-50 people. We went on a Wednesday evening and it was pretty full so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND making reservation (you can do it online). The staff is very friendly, positive, and helpful. I didn't get their names, but they were a step above! The food was amazing from start to finish. It came out quickly too. The highlights were the A5 wagyu skewer, unagi skewer, ebi skewer, baby bella mushrooms, and the whole white peach tart. The A5 wagyu skewer was so good I had to stop talking. I wish I got more. It was so tender, fatty, and delicious! Smoky and savory too. The unagi and ebi skewers were very flavorful and smoky too. You could really appreciate the binchotan charcoal that they use. The baby bella mushrooms were OUTSTANDING. I reluctantly had to split half with my wife lol but I'm happy she liked it. She doesn't eat escargot but I told her this was basically 90% of the experience if I had to ease her into trying it one day. The garlic butter and presentation of the mushrooms is what reminded me so much of escargots. The whole white peach tart was the perfect way to end the night. As the name states, it is a whole white peach and it sits on a bed of broken up biscoff cookies (my favorite kind of cookie). As a dessert, it wasn't too sweet, which is a HUGE compliment in culture. I wouldn't be surprised if this restaurant was noticed by the Michelin Guide. I had such an awesome time and hope this restaurant is here to stay forever.

    Baby scallop roll with gelé ponzu
    Crystal S.

    Absolutely loved dining here. Terrific atmosphere and delicious food creativity presented. Service was prompt and super friendly. Lucky to have this little gem in the neighborhood.

    Spicy chicken karage

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    2 months ago

    everything tastes delectable, service is so smooth, ambiance is so adorable and everything is appealing

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    2 months ago

    Great dinner!! Delicious food. Service was great. Such a unique spot in the riveria village

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    Page 1 of 4

    zoku Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - zoku

    Do they take reservation?

    Yes they take reservations on Open Table app also you can call them.

    Do they serve beer and wine ? Saki?

    Yes, they serve sake, beer, and wine.

    View All 4 Questions

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    You've probably read all the articles online about this place and all the reviews on here, so I'm…read morejust going to confirm that this place is indeed very good as they say. Definitely go for the nabe, and if you're here with several friends and family, the family course/set meal (which is what we got for 4 adults) is perfectly enough food for everyone. We added on the tongue as an a la carte because it wasn't part of the set and wanted to try it. Very good as well. Good service and very izakaya interior.

    Loved my time at Izakaya Hachi. Went here with a couple amazing friends and my daughter for an…read moreearly dinner. A friend and I shared a pitcher of beer and a couple hot sakes. The drinks and food as well as the setting of the restaurant gives ultra chill vibes - one of the better izakayas I've been to re drinks and food variety and quality. They have some premium wines here too, including Opus One and Kenzo. What would have made this a top notch experience would be once of those semi-private booths with the lower seating that some places have, but this felt like some places we've been to in Japan as well. The only thing I didn't love was that I spent around $400 here (LOL), but we all had a great time so that was fine. Food-wise, we tried the following - Gobo Chips - a friend recommended these to us. He said eating these when drinking will prevent hangovers, headaches, any negative effects, etc. I thought it was cap, but all that beer and sake, I felt great the rest of the evening and morning despite just a few hours of sleep. Large serving of these chips, nicely seasoned, thin sliced, great texture. Even my daughter enjoyed these. Uni & US Wagyu Beef Sashimi - how decadent! Very flavorful. A bit too much sauce for me, but otherwise good. Salmon Truffle Carpaccio - this was one of my fave small plates. Fresh sashimi with ikura. YUM!! Chicken & Green Onion Skewers - Pretty good chicken. My daughter even ate the onions without realizing. Amazing. Chicken Karaage - the daughter's favorite! Goes very well with the beer too. Assorted Tempura - nice assortment of shrimp and veggies, with the tempura dipping sauce. Ribeye Ponzu Steak - beautifully cooked and flavorful. We started with the above, and the food came at various times, but the waits weren't long so we appreciated that. We were still hungry, so we ordered some more stuff - Premium Sashimi - min of 2 orders so we did that. It was good, but I expected a lot more for premium sashimi. It looked more of a single portion, but beautifully presented. Chazuke - we got some for us all - both salmon and mentaiko. Best dish to end a meal at an izakaya. Warm dashi with the riceball in there, seaweed, topped with either the salmon or mentaiko. Subtle flavors, but really delicious. We then looked at a dessert menu and decided to go elsewhere for some sweets. Would def come back to try their pressed sushi, and if we weren't all picky eaters, we'd try their set meal as well.

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    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill

    Hasu Japanese Izakaya & Grill

    4.4
    (193 reviews)
    5.5 mi
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    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!

    I'm genuinely confused by the 4.4/5 rating because my experience was nowhere near that level…read more The one bright star is for the lone server, who did an impressive job managing the entire floor by herself and staying helpful throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the food told a very different story. We ordered a wide variety of yakitori since the glowing reviews repeatedly highlighted it as the restaurant's specialty. Instead, what arrived was surprisingly inconsistent. Nearly every skewer had a heavily charred exterior that crossed the line from smoky to bitter. Good yakitori should showcase careful grilling that enhances the ingredients, not mask them with burnt flavors. The proteins themselves didn't taste particularly fresh, and the seasoning was all over the place. Some skewers were so lightly seasoned they tasted unfinished, while others were aggressively salty. Consistency is one of the fundamentals of good yakitori and it was noticeably lacking here. Having visited plenty of izakayas and eaten more than my fair share of yakitori, I'm not claiming Michelin-level expectations. I simply know the difference between properly grilled, well-balanced skewers and ones that miss the mark. Based on this visit, the food was below average and failed to live up to the hype. With the volume of positive reviews, I expected a memorable yakitori experience. Instead, I left wondering if I had visited the same restaurant everyone else was raving about.

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    Seating  08-12-2025
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    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena

    Shin-Sen-Gumi Yakitori - Gardena

    4.3
    (1.7k reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    30 years in business

    Its not easy giving all full 5 star review. I looove this spot. Not a conventional Izakaya, they…read moredont have many small side dishes, but thats not why I come here. I come here for the Yakitori. Errmugurrd hands down my fav dedicated yakitori place. The charcoal grilled sweetness smacks you in the face as soon as you walk in. If its your first time, its like sushi for chicken grilled skewers. The best parts are the unconventional chicken parts you dont usually eat. Chicken, heart, liver, gizzards, all of that so good. Dont forget the chicken meatballs, and some pork belly omgaawd. I prefer this place over newer trendier spots, ha smore character i guess. Service has always been good. Usually plenty of parking.

    The hearts are super tender! Order:…read moreHearts Liver Special shiro (special pork intestines, really good if you like intestines!) Shishamo (on the special menu) Ika yaki (think of like a deconstructed takoyaki without the carbs) Chicken meatball Chicken thigh Gizzard was also very good Duck Cartilage Chicken oyster Beef tongue (only alright compared to other spots) Pork belly with shiso Tail Everything was super tender! Would come again! Heart, gizzard and special shiro we ordered more of! Food was so good that I didn't take any pictures haha

    Photos
    Crispy outside, juicy inside--true craftsmanship in every skewer. That glossy glaze and perfect char are the ultimate match for a cold beer!
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    Perfect Charcoal Yakitori! ・Smoky & Irresistible aroma
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    Koshiji

    Koshiji

    4.1
    (284 reviews)
    2.0 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

    The food is decent, but the experience needs work. The room was hot and uncomfortable, almost like…read moreeating inside a humid gym. I understand yakitori is cooked over a grill and the smell is part of the experience, but sweating through dinner in a small shop is not charming. Turn up the AC or improve the ventilation. Service also felt cold. There was no warmth, no hospitality, no sense that anyone was glad people were there. The grill master mostly stared through the room, which made the whole place feel more awkward than welcoming. As for the food, some skewers were good, but others were noticeably over salted. For something as simple and focused as yakitori, the execution has to be tighter than that. There are plenty of yakitori spots around. If the food were exceptional, maybe the uncomfortable room and flat service would be easier to forgive. But right now, the flavors aren't strong enough to make the experience worth repeating.

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    Kushiyaki course
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    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

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    4.5
    (471 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$
    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.

    This restaurant came up on my FB feed, and the food looked really good, so we thought, "Why not…read moregive it a try?" I usually read through the Yelp comments and look at the photos before trying a new place, but this time I only checked the rating -- which was great -- and decided to go based on that and the FB post. Looking back, I probably should have read the reviews first. We didn't realize the bento boxes are only available during lunchtime, and we were also surprised to find out they don't have yakitori. Those were two things we were hoping to try. We came with a party and ordered several items, including the Akatsuki Special Hot Pot, which was recommended to us, along with other dishes. The tempura and karaage were definitely the highlights -- both were really good. The rest of the food was okay for our group, but unfortunately it didn't really satisfy our craving or stand out the way we were hoping. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere and the staff was friendly. I think the biggest thing was that our expectations were set by what we saw on FB, and the items that caught our attention weren't available when we visited. I would recommend checking their current menu before going so you know what to expect. Maybe we'll come back another time to try their lunch menu and explore more of what they offer.

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    Parts of our selection of sake
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    Azuma Japanese Restaurant

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    4.3
    (1.3k reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $$

    I literally picked this place as it was in the middle of who I was meeting. We've all never been…read morethere. Saw some pics via yelp and figured there was a lot to choose from. Parking: you can either park on the street, if there is parking; or park in the lot where h can enter from the back of the restaurant. Get there before 5 to grab a seat because the place fills up QUICK. Inside is small and narrow. If you're not a big eater, share a dish. Their portions are HUGE!! Biggest plates I've seen for a Japanese restaurant. The servers there work hard and try to be quick as possible. I would definitely come back here.

    Azuma's menu is incredibly extensive, offering just about every type of Japanese comfort food you…read morecan think of. From sashimi, yakitori, udon, donburi, and so much more. With so many options, it was honestly a little overwhelming to choose. I decided to keep things simple and ordered the sashimi and broiled mackerel fish set, which came with rice, miso soup, cabbage salad, and macaroni salad. My husband couldn't settle on just one dish, so he went all out with a chicken oyakodon, grilled salmon, steamed eggplant, and a stir-fried chicken and bean sprout dish. The restaurant itself is narrow and deep, which actually reminded me of some of the small alleyway restaurants we visited during our travels in Japan. It added to the cozy and authentic feel. The service was attentive, especially when we requested a few extra items. One thing that really stood out was their ponzu sauce. It seemed to include green onions and perhaps a touch of vinegar, and it was absolutely delicious. It paired perfectly with the sashimi, steamed eggplant, and even the chicken dishes. Next time, I'm definitely going to spend some time studying the menu beforehand. The portions were generous enough that we had leftovers for another meal, and we were lucky enough to find parking right in front of the restaurant.

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    Busy during lunch
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    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
    Takana Fried Rice
    Takana Fried Rice
    Udon Carbonara
    Udon Carbonara
    Tonkotsu Ramen

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    Tonkotsu Ramen

    zoku - izakaya - Updated July 2026

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