LA｜Can’t They Just Open a Branch Near My Place Already? 😭

This spot’s been on my list forever, but it’s in West Hollywood — way too far from me in the SGV. Finally found time and booked with a friend to try it! 🍲 Uni & Toro Bowl ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ More like a Roe Toro Bowl — packed with all kinds of fish roe 😂😂😂 The uni was visibly fresh and sweet, the toro mashed to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Rice was perfectly seasoned. Wrapping everything in nori and eating it in one bite was heavenly! Only downside: the gold-leaf topping was black flying fish roe — would’ve been even better with caviar (both visually and flavor-wise). 🦐 Sweet Shrimp & Salmon Belly Sashimi ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Both super fresh! Regret not ordering two servings 🥹 Sweet shrimp sticky and tender with crunchy roe bits; salmon belly rich and soft, enhanced with black truffle aroma. 🍣 Sushi 10 pcs Omakase ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 10 different nigiri — two pieces included uni (score!). Overall the fish was fresh, though some rice was a bit loose. 🍝 Uni Udon Pasta ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ For someone who loves uni, cheese, creamy pasta, AND udon — this dish is a knockout!! I’d come back N times just for this uni udon! 🍢 Kushiyaki ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Solid yakitori — around 80–85/100, good but not mind-blowing. BUT the chicken skin skewer gets 95/100!!! Not too dry, not too soft — crispy yet tender. King of grilled chicken skin 👑 🥣 Miso Soup ⭐️⭐️ Too salty for me — pass 🙅🏻‍♀️ (didn’t even take a pic). I noticed from older photos they used to top the bowl with caviar, but now it’s regular black flying fish roe. A bit of a downgrade in looks and taste — cost-cutting maybe? Hope they bring caviar back! ⛩️ Izakaya Tora 📍 8908 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA #LAFoodFinds #LADining #JapaneseFood #Izakaya #LosAngeles #LALife #LAEats