LA｜Yakitori Review 1

I will unconditionally support Nanbankan (11330 Santa Monica Blvd).😁 The vibe inside is great, and the powerful ventilation hood does wonders for maintaining air quality. Sometimes you can get lucky with walk-ins, but I highly recommend calling ahead — it’s always packed and reservations are smart. The ingredients justify the price: pork belly, beef tongue, and chicken wings are consistently tender and flavorful with no gaminess. One surprising standout was the grilled ginkgo nuts — first time trying them, texture similar to waxy corn but with a slight bitterness. Another popular spot is Torigoya (123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St 203).😘😍 We got lucky — no reservation, no wait, straight to the counter. The atmosphere doesn’t compare to Nanbankan — it feels smokier, and the wall behind the grill is noticeably darkened from years of use.😘😁 We ordered their signature 10-skewer combo. Personally, I found the chicken hearts and livers a bit gamey — if you’re sensitive to that, better to order à la carte. The chicken wings and breast were still tender and tasty though.❤️👍 For both flavor and dining environment, I’d choose Nanbankan every time — the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. #LAEats #BabyFoodie #FoodReview #LALife #LAFoodFinds #LosAngeles #Yakitori #JapaneseFood