Los Angeles | 🏮 Late-Night Yakitori Heaven – Juicy

🏮 Wondering where to find the best yakitori in LA? Just follow the local Japanese crowd! This popular spot fills up the moment it opens, packed with Japanese professionals fresh off work. The master griller has been honing his craft for over 30 years, cooking every skewer over fragrant binchōtan charcoal to bring out the most authentic, soulful flavors of yakitori. 🍡 Torimatsu has been a Gardena staple since 1990. The chef trained at the original shop in Tokyo’s Shinbashi and insists on using premium binchōtan charcoal. The heat control is perfect, the seasoning is spot-on, and even the simplest chicken skewers shine with irresistible flavor. 🌟 The menu is diverse and fairly priced—you can order skewers individually or go for the omakase course, which includes salad and dessert for just over $30. My friend and I couldn’t resist ordering à la carte. You can customize with salt, chili, sansho pepper, and more—every combo tastes amazing! 🍡 Chicken Meatball (Tsukune): So tender it bursts with juices! Minced chicken mixed with scallions and egg, grilled to crispy perfection outside and juicy inside. 🐔 Grilled Chicken Liver: A must-order! No gaminess, just tender and savory. 🦴 Chicken Cartilage: Crispy, crunchy, and totally addictive. 🐔 Chicken Skin: Crispy, oily, and irresistible. 🥚 Quail Egg: I never skip these little gems! 🥹 🫛 Grilled Ginkgo Nuts: Soft, slightly bitter yet sweet—my go-to izakaya snack. 🍄 Shiitake Mushrooms: Only fresh shiitake can stand up to simple grilling—juicy and full of umami. 🍙 Grilled Salmon Onigiri: Requires 30 minutes to grill, but so worth it! The outside forms a crispy rice crust while the inside stays soft and chewy. Fillings include salmon, plum, or bonito flakes—delicious and Instagram-worthy! 🐔 Karaage (side): Decent, but for exceptional fried chicken, I’d recommend Tenkatori instead. 🥒 Chilled Tofu: Silky and lightly seasoned—the sauce doesn’t overpower. 🍮 After our meal, my friend and I craved something sweet, so we headed nearby 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 juices, and honest flavors. In the haze of charcoal smoke, surrounded by stories and laughter, my friend and I laughed till we cried—and cried till we laughed. That’s the magic of good food and good company. 🔍 Torimatsu 📌 1425 Artesia Blvd UNIT 17, Gardena, CA 90248 #LosAngeles #LAFood #LADining #LAJapanese #Yakitori #LateNightEats #DinnerIdeas #Izakaya