Los Angeles | 🏮 Late-Night Yakitori — Juicy, Crispy & Irresistible!

🏮 Wondering where to find the best yakitori in LA? Just follow the Japanese crowd! This popular spot fills up as soon as it opens, packed with locals fresh off work. The yakitori master has been grilling over charcoal for decades, crafting each skewer with care to bring out the most authentic, classic flavors. 🍡 Torimatsu has been in Gardena since 1990. The chef trained at the original Shinbashi store in Tokyo and insists on using binchōtan charcoal — perfect heat control, balanced seasoning, transforming simple chicken skewers into something truly mouthwatering. 🌟 The menu is rich and fairly priced — order à la carte or go for the omakase course, which includes salad and dessert for just over $30. My friend and I were too tempted, so we ordered individually. You can customize seasoning with salt, chili, sansho pepper… every combo works! 🍡 Chicken Meatball – So tender it bursts with juice! Minced meat mixed with scallion and egg, slowly grilled to crispy outside, juicy inside. 🐔 Grilled Chicken Liver – A must-order! No gaminess — tender and savory. 🦴 Chicken Cartilage – Crispy, crunchy, totally satisfying. 🐔 Chicken Skin – Crispy, oily, and incredibly fragrant. 🥚 Quail Egg – I never miss a chance to eat these little egg gems! 🥹 🫛 Grilled Ginkgo Nuts – Soft, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste — my go-to izakaya snack. 🍄 Shiitake Mushrooms – Only fresh shiitake can stand up to simple grilling — juicy, flavorful, unforgettable. 🍙 Grilled Salmon Rice Ball – Takes 30 minutes to prepare, but so worth it! The outside gets crispy like a rice crust, while the inside stays soft and fluffy. Fillings include salmon, plum, bonito flakes — looks cute, tastes amazing! 🐔 Karaage – Decent, but compared to the skewers, it’s less impressive. For fried chicken, I’d recommend Tenkatori. 🥒 Chilled Tofu – Smooth and subtly sweet, with sauce that doesn’t overpower. 🍮 Afterward, my friend and I weren’t done — we dashed to a nearby spot for soy milk sweet corn shaved ice… also delicious! 🌟 Final thoughts: No wonder this is one of LA’s most beloved izakayas! A bottle of sake, a table full of skewers, bursting flavors, humble yet satisfying seasoning. In the smoky, warm atmosphere — maybe it's the stories, maybe it's the drinks — we laughed, we got emotional… that’s the magic of good food with good company. 🔍 Torimatsu 📌 1425 Artesia Blvd UNIT 17, Gardena, CA 90248 #LosAngeles #LAEats #LAFoodFinds #LAJapaneseFood #Yakitori #LateNightEats #DinnerIdeas